Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, slow-simmered beef ragù inspired by the passion of Italian heritage, braised in red wine and tomato with aromatic herbs for deep flavor. This italian-inspired italian ready in about 140 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, finely chopped yellow onion, medium, finely diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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.

★ 4.3 (8 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion, 1 finely diced medium carrot, and 1 finely diced celery stalk. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Increase heat to medium-high and add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned evenly.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 6 chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup water or beef broth.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let simmer gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld beautifully. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve over pasta or polenta.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine 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 Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine?

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 Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine 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 Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine?

Italian italian 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.

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