Authentic Italian Sugo di Carne | Easy Slow-Cooked Meat Sauce

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: beef broth

Grape juice adds sweetness without alcohol.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds umami.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes are seasonal and can be cheaper.

Heat olive oil in a large pot.

Add cubed beef chuck and sear until browned.

Add diced onion, celery, and carrot (sofrito) to the pot and stir.

Season with salt and pepper.

Pour in 1/2 cup of red wine and let it evaporate.

Add a whole jar of passata and some water to the pot.

Season the sauce with salt and add bay leaves.

Bring the sauce to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.

Let the sauce cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Prepare dandelion greens by boiling them first.

After boiling, fry the dandelion in olive oil and garlic until cooked.

Cut ciabatta bread into thick slices and place on a baking sheet.

Drizzle bread with olive oil and toast in the oven.

Check on the meat sauce; it should be bubbling and the meat should be falling apart.

Remove the meat from the sauce and place it in a bowl.

Serve the meat on toasted bread with dandelion greens on the side.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens