This homemade ragu sauce is rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying. It is the ultimate comfort food for anyone craving a meal that tastes both indulgent and homey. The sauce is slow-simmered and layered with ground beef, pork, and smoky bacon. It is infused with aromatics like garlic and thyme. A splash of cream finishes it for a velvety texture. It clings to pasta in the most irresistible way, making every bite a perfect balance of savory, sweet and umami. Serve it up for a cozy night in. You can also prepare it for a special family meal. This ragu recipe is sure to be the star of the table.

Ragu Sauce Ingredients

• Ground beef: The beef adds a rich, meaty flavor to the sauce and provides a hearty texture.
• Ground pork: This ingredient contributes additional fat and flavor, which helps create a tender and flavorful sauce.
• Bacon: The bacon adds a smoky, salty depth that enhances the overall savory taste.
• Onions: Chopped onions release sweetness and add depth as they caramelize during cooking.
• Celery: This vegetable adds a subtle earthiness and helps balance the richness of the meats.
• Carrots: Carrots bring natural sweetness to offset the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Garlic: The minced garlic infuses the sauce with bold, aromatic flavors.
• Dry red wine or beef broth: The liquid deglazes the pan, lifting flavorful bits from the bottom and adding depth to the sauce.
• Crushed tomatoes: These provide the base of the sauce, offering body and a fresh tomato flavor.
• Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce smooths the texture and adds a rich, concentrated tomato taste.
• Tomato paste: The paste intensifies the tomato flavor while helping to thicken the sauce.
• Bay leaves: These impart a subtle herbal aroma as the sauce simmers.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce more well-rounded.
• Salt: Salt brings out the flavors of all the ingredients, enhancing the overall taste.
• Dried thyme: This herb adds an earthy, slightly minty note to complement the meat.
• Dried oregano: The oregano provides a classic Italian herb flavor with hints of peppery bitterness.
• Ground cumin: Cumin brings a warm, earthy undertone to the sauce, providing depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg contributes a subtle sweetness and warmth, enhancing the richness of the meat.
• Pepper: This spice adds warmth, complexity and a touch of heat to the sauce.
• Heavy whipping cream: The cream gives the sauce a luxurious, velvety texture with a hint of sweetness.
• Butter: A touch of butter adds richness and smoothness to create a luscious final texture.
• Fresh parsley: Parsley brings a bright, fresh contrast to the richness of the sauce.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds umami, along with a salty, nutty flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
• Cooked pasta: The pasta serves as the ideal base, absorbing the rich, flavorful sauce. Use your favorite brand of dried pasta, or make fresh pasta.

Taste of Home

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”