Print

Homemade Meat Sauce

Homemade Meat Sauce
Print Recipe

Homemade Meat Sauce is a quick and easy recipe that combines ground meat, vibrant tomatoes, and Italian herbs to create a rich, savory sauce perfect for pasta, lasagna, or baked potatoes. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly sauce uses simple pantry staples and delivers comforting, deeply satisfying flavor every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef or meat blend (beef and pork)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • Red pepper flakes, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onions, mince the garlic, and gather all spices and canned tomatoes to have everything ready for cooking.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground meat to the pan. Break it up with a spatula and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid a greasy sauce.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Simmer and Develop Flavor: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and help flavors meld.

Notes

  • Use quality meat for a richer flavor and tender texture.
  • Don’t rush browning the meat to lock in flavor and add depth.
  • Season gradually and taste as you go to avoid over-salting.
  • Simmer the sauce low and slow to allow flavors to marry perfectly.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil just before serving to keep their brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade meat sauce, quick meat sauce, pasta sauce, Italian sauce, ground beef sauce, weeknight dinner, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/homemade-meat-sauce/