Slow-Simmered Italian Citizenship Beef Ragù with Red Wine

By , Test Kitchen Director · 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 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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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