Lunche for 6

Mushroom Ragù with Polenta

Name: Mushroom Ragù with Polenta
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp unsalted butter or extra-virgin olive oil; 2 shallots; 2 ribs celery; 1 large carrot; 4 large garlic cloves; 2 lb mixed mushrooms; 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes; 1 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 1 1/2 tsp italian seasoning; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp granulated sugar; 1 cup vegetable stock or red wine; creamy polenta (optional); freshly grated parmesan (optional); fresh basil leaves (optional)

$14.18for 445 minServes 6

Mixed mushrooms simmer with vegetables, tomatoes, herbs, and spices to make a rich ragù for creamy polenta.

Photo: themodernproper.com

What it costs

Pick your city to see which ingredients are on sale

Ingredient	Amount	Cost
	Butter, 1 oz$0.40/oz typical	1 oz	$0.40Typical price
	Leeks and shallots, 0.3 lb$3.49/lb typical	0.3 lb	$1.09Typical price
	Celery, 0.25$2.29 each typical	0.25	$0.43Typical price
	Carrots, 0.2 lb$1.09/lb typical	0.2 lb	$0.21Typical price
	Garlic, 4$0.75 each typical	4	$3.00Typical price
	Mushrooms, 32 oz$0.40/oz typical	32 oz	$12.80Typical price
	Canned tomatoes, 28 oz$0.08/oz typical	28 oz	$2.24Typical price
	Broth, 8.25 oz$0.07/oz typical	8.25 oz	$0.58Typical price
	Parmesan, 0.25 oz$0.55/oz typical	0.25 oz	$0.14Typical price
	Fresh herbs (cilantro, a little$1.49 each typical	a little	$0.19Typical price
Total for the servings shown		$21.27

Swaps

Swap carrots for sweet potatoesabout $0.20/lb more at typical prices
Swap butter for margarine and vegan butterabout $0.15/oz less at typical prices

Pantry staples you likely have

Salt and pepperDried spices (cumin, paprika, chili powder, oregano)Dried herbs, spices and seasoning blendsSugar and brown sugar

Not included in the cost.

45 minstart to table
Mediumdifficulty
6servings as written
$$$typical cost tier

Italian Lunches Back to school

Typical price

$3.55 per serving$14.18 for 4

City Store

Typical price: Salefork's estimate of an everyday US shelf price for each ingredient. Pick your city to price it from this week's ad.

Ingredients

2 tbsp unsalted butter or extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots
2 ribs celery
1 large carrot
4 large garlic cloves
2 lb mixed mushrooms
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable stock or red wine
creamy polenta (optional)
freshly grated parmesan (optional)
fresh basil leaves (optional)

Steps

Finely chop the shallots, celery, carrot, and garlic, then finely chop the mushrooms.
Melt the butter or heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat, then cook the shallots, celery, and carrot for 6 minutes.
Add the garlic and mushrooms, and cook for 8 minutes until the mushrooms release their liquid.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, sugar, and stock or wine.
Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ragù thickens.
Spoon the ragù over creamy polenta and top with Parmesan or basil if using.