This traditional Meat Sauce Recipe leaves the store-bought stuff in the dust with its rich flavor and simple ingredients!
Mamma mia, it’s a meat lover’s paradise! This classic Italian-American sauce goes well with practically any pasta, from spaghetti and ravioli to lasagna. It’s rich, hearty, and easy to make in batches, so it can be stored for multiple meals.
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 fills the whole house with herbaceous aromas and childhood memories. Whether your family is Italian or not, this sauce is the perfect comfort food for big gatherings and holidays.
Is This Meat Sauce Healthy?
This homemade sauce is a great alternative to store-bought options because it’s lower in sugar and contains no added preservatives. However, if you’d prefer to avoid white sugar altogether, you can always use one tablespoon of maple syrup instead. Overall, this recipe is protein-packed and made with wholesome ingredients. It’s both nourishing and heartwarming.
For vegetarians and vegans, 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 golden brown and well-toasted. After, the rest of the sauce can be incorporated easily using the directions below.
Endless Pastabilities…
Whether you like it cheesy and fluffy (ravioli or tortellini) or long and luscious (spaghetti or lasagna), this meat sauce goes well on almost every kind of pasta. You could even spread a little bit on a meatball sub if that’s your preference. You can also add to rice dishes, 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. Get creative and enjoy all the pastabilities!
How To Make Ahead And Store
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.
Serving Suggestions
The serving possibilities for this sauce are seemingly endless, but let’s narrow in on some that are especially delizioso!
A different kind of option would be Pizza Dip—that’ll bring all the meat lovers together and get the party started!
More traditionally, this sauce would go well in a Low-Carb Lasagna (With Zucchini Noodles). It’ll add those classic lasagna flavors without too many extra carbs.
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 Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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