Italian Beef and Tomato Ragù with Pasta
Italian Beef and Tomato Ragù with Pasta is a classic, hearty dish from Italy, featuring slow-simmered beef in a rich tomato-based sauce, traditionally served over pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle. The ragù typically includes ground or diced beef, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and herbs like basil and oregano, creating a deeply flavorful sauce that clings to the pasta. It's a staple of Italian home cooking, often associated with family meals and regional variations like Bolognese.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is balanced but leans toward being high in protein from the beef and carbohydrates from the pasta, with moderate fat depending on the cut of meat used. It provides key nutrients like iron, B vitamins, and lycopene from tomatoes, with a rough calorie estimate of 500-700 per serving, depending on portion size and ingredients.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbs | 50 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Potassium | 550 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Zinc | 5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 300 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, ragù is a symbol of Italian comfort food, with each region boasting its own twist, reflecting local ingredients and traditions. Nutritionally, the slow-cooking process enhances the tomatoes' lycopene content, making it more bioavailable, while the combination of meat and tomatoes creates a satisfying umami-rich meal.
