Authentic Slow-Cooked Tomato Ragù
A rich, slow-simmered Italian tomato sauce made with fresh herbs and slow-cooked meat, perfect for coating pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 170 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, diced onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ground beef
- 6 oz ground pork
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook ground beef and ground pork, breaking it into small crumbles until browned and cooked through (8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat, then return to the pot.
- Step 2: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the pot, stirring frequently until onions are translucent and fragrant (5 minutes).
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it deepens in color and aroma. Pour in 1/2 cup red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits, and simmer until wine is reduced by half (3-4 minutes).
- Step 4: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken stock, 1 tsp dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when tested. Serve over cooked pasta.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Slow-Cooked Tomato Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Slow-Cooked Tomato Ragù?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Slow-Cooked Tomato Ragù?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Slow-Cooked Tomato Ragù for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Slow-Cooked Tomato Ragù?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
