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Homemade Meat Sauce

Homemade Meat Sauce
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This Homemade Meat Sauce is a rich, flavorful, and versatile sauce made with ground meat, tomatoes, herbs, and garlic. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it can be served over pasta, layered in lasagna, or spooned onto vegetables and sides. The sauce simmers to develop a deep, savory taste in under 45 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying comfort food option.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Tomato Base

  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Seasonings and Oils

  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional Liquids

  • 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
  2. Brown the meat: Add ground beef or meat mix to the pan, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes, developing a rich, hearty foundation.
  3. Mix in tomato elements: Stir in tomato paste and cook for about a minute to reduce acidity and deepen flavor. Then add crushed tomatoes, mixing everything evenly to form the vibrant sauce body.
  4. Season and simmer: Add dried Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. If desired, pour in broth to thin the sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
  5. Final taste adjustment: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. If too thick, add extra broth or water. For added richness, drizzle olive oil just before serving.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef with some fat for juiciness without excess grease.
  • Allow the meat to brown well to add depth of flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce low and slow to blend flavors and thicken naturally.
  • Always use fresh minced garlic for vibrant taste instead of garlic powder.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to toss with the sauce for better cling to noodles.

Nutrition

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

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