Description
This hearty Beef and Mushroom Ragu is a rich, savory sauce perfect for pairing with pasta or polenta. Made with ground beef, finely minced mushrooms, onions, and garlic simmered in a robust tomato base with fresh basil, it offers a balanced depth of flavor that warms and satisfies.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz mushrooms, finely minced
- 1 onion, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 3 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 3-4 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 Tbsp olive oil (or butter or ghee)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Finely mince the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Chop the fresh basil and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil (or butter/ghee) in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion, garlic, and mushrooms and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with the mushrooms and onions. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned evenly with no pink remaining, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Add Tomato Components: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 minutes to concentrate the flavor. Then add the diced tomatoes along with their juices.
- Season and Simmer: Add salt and pepper to taste and stir in the fresh chopped basil. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Allow the ragu to cook gently uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors melded.
- Final Taste and Serve: Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the ragu hot over your favorite pasta, polenta, or rice.
Notes
- Use finely minced mushrooms to mimic the texture of ground meat and add umami depth.
- You can swap olive oil with butter or ghee depending on your preference for richness.
- For a deeper flavor, allow the ragu to simmer longer, up to 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Fresh basil should be added towards the end of cooking to preserve its bright aroma.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or broth to reach desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
