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A casual meal setting with diverse dishes being served and enjoyed in a buffet style.
Stovetop~55 minComplexity

Simple Ragù

This Simple Ragù provides 22g protein and 395 calories per serving as a versatile Italian sauce base. Prepares 6 servings in a single stovetop session, giving you a foundation for pasta, rice, or protein bowls throughout the week. Stretch one batch across multiple meals to simplify your macro tracking without repetitive cooking.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Yellow Onion(180g)
  • Garlic
  • 80/20 Ground Beef(680g)
  • Tomato, Canned, Crushed(794g)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • Italian seasoning(15g)
  • Nutmeg, Ground(1g)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth(120g)
  • Parmesan Cheese

    Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.

Instructions

  1. 1Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, celery, and onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
  2. 2Add the ground beef to the skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until no longer pink and browned, 6–8 minutes.
  3. 3Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors deepen, about 30 minutes.
  4. 4Check doneness by tilting the skillet—the ragù should coat the back of a spoon and leave a trail when drawn through.
  5. 5Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan until combined.
  6. 6Divide the ragù evenly into 6 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze.
  7. 7When ready to serve, reheat a portion in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 4–5 minutes. Serve over your choice of pasta, polenta, or vegetables.

Nutrition — Per Serving

395

calories

22g

protein

28g

fat

Carbohydrates
14g
Saturated fat
9.4g
Sodium
349 mg
Dietary fiber
3.5g

6 servings per batch · ~303g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Simple Ragù have per serving?

Each serving contains 22g of protein and 395 calories with 28g fat and 14g carbs. This is a higher-fat sauce option that works as a macro-tracked component rather than a standalone meal.

How long does Simple Ragù take to prep?

Quick prep on stovetop yields 6 servings, making this efficient for batch-cooking pasta sauce that lasts throughout the week. Minimal active time when divided across the full yield.

Is Simple Ragù good for fat loss?

At 395 calories and 22g protein per serving, this ragù works as a component within a fat loss meal plan when paired with controlled portions of pasta or lean protein. The high fat content means careful portioning is needed to stay within daily calorie targets.

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