Meat Sauce Recipe

This hearty Meat Sauce is a flavor-packed masterpiece that brings comfort to any meal in just 45 minutes. Rich, savory ground meat mingles with aromatic herbs and a tangy tomato base, creating a luscious texture that clings perfectly to pasta. Each bite delivers a satisfying balance of umami and sweetness, making it a family favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

With only 15 minutes of prep, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights yet feels indulgent enough for special occasions. The sauce’s deep, robust flavors are enhanced by a hint of garlic and a touch of warmth from spices. Serve it over your favorite noodles for a meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.

Ingredients for Meat Sauce

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (140 g) finely chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
• 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 lb (453 g) ground beef (85 or 90% lean, or substitute bulk Italian sausage, sweet or spicy)
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (78 ml) dry red wine (or substitute chicken, beef, or vegetable broth/stock)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 28 oz (794 g) canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons dried basil or 10 torn fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 8-12 oz (226-340 g) pasta for serving (e.g., spaghetti)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add 1 cup chopped onion and cook until softened (about 3 minutes).
2. Add 2 Tablespoons minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
3. Add 1 lb ground beef, sprinkling with ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cook, crumbling the meat, until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
4. Stir in 2 Tablespoons tomato paste and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste is browned/caramelized (about 1-2 minutes).
5. Pour in ⅓ cup red wine, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits. Cook until the wine is reduced by half and the alcohol smell fades (about 3-5 minutes).
6. Add ¼ cup water and 28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes, crushing the tomatoes with a spoon or spatula as you cook.
7. Stir in 2 teaspoons dried basil (or 10 torn basil leaves), 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 bay leaf. Simmer for at least 30 minutes with an offset lid, stirring occasionally.
8. While the sauce simmers, cook 8-12 oz pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.
9. If combining pasta and sauce, add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir well and simmer until the sauce clings to the noodles (just a few minutes).
10. Serve topped with parmesan cheese if desired.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions for Meat Sauce

This versatile meat sauce shines when served over classic spaghetti, but don’t stop there! Try it with rigatoni, penne, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. For a hearty meal, layer it in lasagna or stuff it into bell peppers. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra kick.

Make It Ahead: Storage and Reheating Tips

This meat sauce stores beautifully! Let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. For frozen sauce, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Switch It Up: Recipe Variations to Try

Customize this sauce to suit your taste! Swap ground beef for Italian sausage or a mix of both for added flavor. For a vegetarian twist, use lentils or crumbled tofu instead of meat. Add chopped mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies. If you’re out of red wine, substitute with beef broth or balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.

Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Cooks

Short on time? Use pre-chopped onions and jarred minced garlic to cut down on prep. If you’re in a rush, simmer the sauce for just 15 minutes instead of 30—it’ll still taste great! For even faster meals, double the batch and freeze half for a ready-to-go dinner later.

Essential Equipment for the Best Results

A large, deep skillet or Dutch oven is ideal for making this sauce, as it gives you plenty of room to brown the meat and simmer the sauce. Use a wooden spoon or metal spatula to break up the tomatoes and stir the sauce. If you’re serving with pasta, a colander and pasta pot are must-haves for perfectly cooked noodles.

Meat Sauce

Rahat

This hearty Meat Sauce is a flavor-packed masterpiece that brings comfort to any meal in just 45 minutes. With only 15 minutes of prep, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights yet feels indulgent enough for special occasions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Calories 435 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
• 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 lb ground beef 85 or 90% (may substitute bulk Italian sausage, sweet or spicy)
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon cracked pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup dry red wine (or substitute chicken, beef, or vegetable broth or stock)
• ¼ cup water
• 28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons dried basil or 10 torn basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 8-12 oz pasta for serving – I like spaghetti

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
• Once shimmering, add onion and cook until softened (about 3 minutes).
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
• Add ground beef and sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and crushed pepper overtop. Cook, crumbling, until meat is browned. Drain excess grease if/as needed.
• Add tomato paste and sugar to the pan and cook, stirring near-constantly until tomato paste is browned/caramelized (about 1-2 minutes).
• Drizzle red wine into the pan, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. Cook until the wine is reduced by about half and you can no longer smell the alcohol so strongly (about 3-5 minutes).
• Add water and tomatoes, breaking/crushing the tomatoes with a wooden spoon or metal spatula as you cook.
• Add basil, parsley, and oregano and bay leaf and stir until combined and bay leaf is submerged. Simmer at least 30 minutes with an offset lid, stirring occasionally.
• If serving with pasta, begin cooking pasta according to package instructions while the sauce is simmering. You can serve the meat sauce over the portioned pasta or combine the two together before serving. If mixing together, reserve ¼ cup pasta water then drain remaining water from the pasta. Add pasta to meat sauce along with a splash of pasta reserved pasta water, stir well, and simmer until sauce clings to noodles (just several minutes).
• Serve, topped with parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 578mgPotassium: 646mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 256IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 4mg

Keyword garlic, ground beef, Italian seasoning, pasta, tomato sauce

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