Slow-Simmered Beef and Tomato Ragù with Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

Rich and hearty beef ragù slow-simmered with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, perfect for spooning over your favorite pasta. This Italian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs ground beef, extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 medium, finely diced carrot
• 1, finely diced celery stalk
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, 1 medium finely diced carrot, and 1 finely diced celery stalk. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Increase heat to medium-high and add 1 lb ground beef. Break apart with a spoon and cook for 8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
5. Step 5: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup water, then sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve hot over pasta or your preferred grain.