Meat Sauce Recipe
Just like Nonna used to make…
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Mamma mia, it’s a meat-lover’s paradise! This classic Italian American sauce goes well with any kind of pasta; whether it’s spaghetti, ravioli or lasagna. It’s rich, hearty, and easy to make in batches so it can be stored for multiple meals.
When I was growing up, my Italian great-grandma made a sauce like this one, and it was always a hit at family dinners. We would take big tubs of leftovers home with us and freeze them for future pasta nights. For that reason, I always get nostalgic when this sauce is cooking; it smells up the whole house with herbaceous aromas and childhood memories. Whether your family is Italian or not, this sauce makes a great comfort food for big gatherings and holidays.
Is Meat Sauce Healthy?
This homemade sauce is a great alternative to store-bought options because it’s lower in sugar and has no added preservatives. If you’re serious about avoiding white sugar completely, though, you can always use 1 tablespoon of maple syrup instead. Overall, this recipe is protein-packed and made with wholesome ingredients; so in the right quantities, it’s both nourishing and heartwarming.
For vegetarians, I recommend using ground walnuts instead of ground beef. Simply season the nuts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder; then sauté on a medium-heated pan until they’re golden brown and well-toasted. After, the rest of the sauce can be incorporated easily using the directions below.
Endless Pastabilities…
Like I said, this meat sauce goes well on almost every kind of pasta… whether you like it cheesy and fluffy (ravioli or tortellini) or long and luscious (spaghetti or lasagna). It can also be incorporated into rice dishes, chili, stuffed peppers, or even quinoa. These options are especially nice for gluten-free folk, although these days it’s easy to find gluten-free pasta in the store.
My grandma would make this meat sauce as a kind of soup to soak meatballs in, making it extra meaty and rich with flavor. You could even spread a little bit on a meatball sub, if that’s your preference. Get creative and enjoy all the pastabilities!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish, optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Sauté
Cook onions, then add garlic.
Brown
Add and brown the ground beef with seasonings.
Simmer
Combine with tomatoes and simmer.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Prepare the sauce accordingly and let it cool completely. Then, store it in a fridge-safe container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to use it again, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove on medium, stirring occasionally.
Many traditional Italian dishes like lasagna or meatballs contain a mix of beef and pork. This creates a more complex, richer flavor profile and also provides a heartier texture. If this is something you’re looking for, I recommend trying it out. Some more unique but equally delicious meats to experiment with would be lamb or venison. The recipe calls for 1 pound of lean beef, so feel free to work various meats within that 1 pound measurement.
One of the best ways to deepen and expand the flavor profile of this sauce is by playing with the seasonings. You can make it spicier or full of fresh herbs (or both) – depending on your preference. Some fun spices to use include cumin, cinnamon, and allspice; which altogether are uniquely sweet and warm. Alternatively, you could double up on the Italian seasonings or add 1/4 cup of pesto for a bit of pizzazz.
To give it a nice kick, consider adding 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Serving Suggestions
As I said, the serving possibilities for this sauce are seemingly endless… but let’s narrow in on some that are especially *chef’s kiss* bellissimo!
A deliciously different kind of option would be Pizza Dip – to bring all the meat lovers together and get the party started.
More traditionally, this sauce would go well in Low-Carb Lasagna (with Zucchini Noodles) for a balance of classic flavors and modern veggie alternatives.
Classic Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Fresh basil leaves chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Increase heat to medium-high, add ground beef, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until beef is browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar. Add water and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot over your favorite cooked pasta and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition
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