Ragu Sauce

Ragu Sauce is a versatile meaty sauce full of vegetables. Lots of flavors in the sauce are simmered to tasty perfection and great with any pasta that you can think of. This truly best Ragu recipe can also be a classic sauce for my Easy Homemade Lasagna or Ravioli Lasagna.

What is Ragu sauce made of?

Ragu is a thick meat based tomato sauce which is often made with vegetables like carrots and celery. But you can basically add what you want and have on hand.

There is only one thing you should always add: lots of flavors like garlic and onions. Ragu Sauce can be served with any pasta like spaghetti, linguine, bucatini.

I’m pretty sure everyone has its own Ragu sauce recipe that is given from generation to generation, because there are so many versions.

Difference between Ragu and Bolognese

Ragu Sauce is not like your common Bolognese sauce recipe. It is thicker sauce and a lot creamier than Bolognese sauce, which is made with fewer tomatoes. Also it has vegetables in it like I mentioned above.

Truly it is more flavorful and uses different flavor components and of course more meaty components. Ragu uses sometimes red wine while Bolognese is made with white wine.

Why do you put milk into Ragu?

It adds a deeper and richer flavor. For sure it makes everything at the end more creamy and also more delicious, yum.

Ragu Sauce ingredients

You will see I use simple ingredients like olive oil for a bold flavor, onions and garlic for lots of more flavors.

Vegan ground beef and bacon: These are our meaty ingredients, both provide a great texture. That my friends is so typical for this sauce.

Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato paste: I like to use 3 components for a rich tomato flavor like I do in my Spaghetti Sauce. You can see I drained my diced tomatoes over a sleeve so all the juices will be removed. Finally you have all the wonderful diced tomatoes without the juices, great.

Celery and carrots add color, freshness, texture and highlight the other ingredients.

Brown sugar is here for a little bit of sweetness, while oregano and red pepper flakes add a tasty and fragrant flavor to any sauce. 

Oat milk and vegan parmesan: putting milk in sauces makes them richer. I put some oat milk at the end to reach exactly that result in my Ragu Sauce. Parmesan adds creaminess and cheesiness as well and for sure tastes delicious.

How to make Ragu sauce

In a skillet heat olive oil. When hot, add garlic, onions, celery, carrots and cook them for 4 minutes.

Next add vegan ground beef, bacon and cook for 3 minutes more.

Then add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, brown sugar. Let the Ragu Sauce simmer for 15 minutes more, season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

After 15 minutes add milk and parmesan and simmer for 5 minutes more. Serve with your favorite pasta and enjoy.

Tips and tricks

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for around 4 days.

Freezing can be done in a freezer friendly container for around 3 months. Always let your sauce cool down completely before.

You can easily make a double batch of Ragu Sauce. One for enjoying during the week and the second for freezing. This comes really in handy for meal prep.

Other great recipes to try

• Chicken Broccoli Casserole
• Mornay Sauce
• Pizza Bagels
• Cheddar Bay Biscuits
• Hot Cheese Dip

Make your own homemade Ragu Sauce and let me know on Instagram or Facebook with a tag.

Enjoy, Florian.