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Homemade Meat Sauce

Homemade Meat Sauce
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A quick and flavorful Homemade Meat Sauce made with ground meat, tomatoes, and Italian herbs, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for pasta, lasagna, polenta, or as a versatile topping, this rich sauce balances convenience with deep, comforting taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Oil

  • 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, or a blend)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Base

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can (14-15 oz) crushed or diced tomatoes with juice

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Optional Extras

  • 1 teaspoon butter or a splash of cream (for richness)
  • Fresh basil and parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until no longer pink and beginning to crisp slightly to build a savory foundation.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Push the browned meat to one side of the skillet. Add diced onions and cook until softened and translucent. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, deepening the sauce’s flavor.
  3. Add Tomato Elements: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices, ensuring the sauce has body and vibrant tomato flavor.
  4. Season and Simmer: Add dried oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
  5. Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For extra richness, swirl in a teaspoon of butter or a splash of cream. Serve hot over your favorite pasta or use as desired.

Notes

  • Use fresh, lean ground meat to enhance flavor and reduce grease.
  • Don’t skip browning the meat to develop a deep umami flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce to marry flavors and improve texture, even with the quick cook time.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning frequently to avoid under- or over-salting.
  • Reserve some pasta water when cooking noodles; adding a splash to the sauce helps it cling better to pasta.
  • Swap ground meat for lentils or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
  • Add red chili flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Try smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a smoky flavor variation.
  • Add a splash of red wine after browning meat for richer flavor layers.
  • Use fresh herbs at the end for a bright, fresh finish.
  • Can be made ahead; flavors deepen after resting overnight.
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
  • Reheat gently on stovetop, stirring often and adding water or broth if sauce thickens too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: Homemade Meat Sauce, Quick Meat Sauce, Italian Meat Sauce, Pasta Sauce, Ground Meat Sauce, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Meal

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