Authentic Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Ragù
A humble Italian tomato ragù that evolves over hours, where simple ingredients transform into a rich, complex sauce through patience and tradition. This italian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 140 minutes pairs crushed San Marzano tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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
- 28 oz, crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced carrots, and 1/2 cup diced celery. Sauté for 10 minutes until vegetables are very soft and golden at edges, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in 1/2 cup red wine. Simmer until wine evaporates (about 3 minutes), scraping up any browned bits from the pot.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 cup vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 4: Cover pot partially and simmer for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until sauce has thickened and tomatoes have broken down completely (sauce should coat a spoon without running). Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley just before serving, letting it wilt into the sauce for 1 minute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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-Simmered Tomato & Herb 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 crushed san marzano tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Slow-Simmered Tomato & Herb 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-Simmered Tomato & Herb 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-Simmered Tomato & Herb Ragù?
Italian slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
