Recipes and photos are AI created and editorially reviewed. Nutrition figures are estimates.
A rich, slow-simmered family ragù.
Equipment: Large saucepan or casserole
Measures and names
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, 1 carrot
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 600 g beef mince (ground beef)
- 1 tbsp tomato purée (tomato paste)
- 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Courgetti (zucchini noodles) or a green salad, to serve
Optional extras
- a splash of red wine
Method
- Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion, carrot and celery for 6–7 minutes, until soft and sweet. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Turn up the heat, add the mince and brown for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon — good colour here is flavour.
- Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 minute, then pour in the wine (if using) and let it bubble away.
- Add the tomatoes and oregano, season, and simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, until thick and rich.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Warm the courgetti in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes and serve topped with the ragù.
Swaps and tips
Make double and freeze half — it keeps for 3 months and tastes even better reheated. Pork or turkey mince work well too, and a grating of parmesan finishes it nicely.
Add carbs for the family (optional)
For family members who want it, serve the ragù over cooked wholewheat spaghetti, or with a baked potato. Keep the on-plan version over courgette ‘noodles’ or shredded greens.
Nutrition estimated, per serving
| Protein | Carbs | Fibre | Fat | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 g | 7 g | 2 g | 21 g | 335 kcal |
Values are estimates based on typical UK food composition data and will vary with brands and portion sizes.
Recipes are AI created and editorially reviewed; kitchen testing is ongoing. Made this recipe? .
Recipe from healthshelf.org
