Authentic Slow-Simmered Tomato Ragù
A deeply flavorful Italian ragù made with slow-cooked tomatoes and meat, celebrating the true essence of Roman cuisine without cream or tomatoes. This italian-inspired mediterranean ready in about 210 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, crushed San Marzano tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add 1 cup diced onion, 1 cup diced celery, and 1 cup diced carrots; cook 8 minutes until softened and golden.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb ground pork, breaking up with a spoon until no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup red wine, scraping the pot bottom, and simmer 5 minutes until wine evaporates and liquid reduces by half.
- Step 4: Add 28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; stir well.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes until sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon with a glossy sheen.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Slow-Simmered Tomato Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (30 min prep + 180 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 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-Simmered 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-Simmered 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-Simmered Tomato Ragù?
Italian mediterranean 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
