Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
12 servings
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Calories
248 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Description
The Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe features a blend of ground Italian sausage and beef cooked with diced red onion and garlic. The onions are softened gently in butter to develop sweetness before adding the meats and oregano, creating a robust base. Two types of canned tomatoes—tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes—form the tomato component, which is simmered to thicken and concentrate flavors.
Fresh chopped basil is stirred in near the end to impart brightness and an herbal note. The recipe also accommodates balance adjustments like adding a small amount of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic from the tomatoes. Salt is added cautiously after simmering, considering the saltiness of sausage and canned ingredients.
The sauce is designed to be served warm over pasta, providing a rich and flavorful accompaniment that complements a variety of spaghetti dishes. Its texture is thick and hearty with tender meat pieces dispersed through the sauce.
Notes emphasize seasoning after cooking to avoid over-salting and balancing acidity with sugar sparingly for harmonious flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 extra-large red onion peeled and diced (2 cups)
- 7-8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound Italian sausage ground
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon oregano or Italian Seasoning, dried
- 2 tomato sauce 28 ounce cans
- 1 crushed tomato 28 ounce can
- ½ cup basil chopped, fresh
- 1-2 tablespoon sugar if needed
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Set a heavy-bottomed 6 quart sauce pot over medium heat. Add the butter and onions. Stir and soften the onions for 5-8 minutes. If they start to brown, turn the heat to medium-low.
- Stir in the garlic and sauté another 2 minutes. Then add in the ground sausage, ground beef, and dried oregano. Cook and break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Once the meat pieces are well browned, stir in tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes.
- Cover and simmer for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. (As long as it simmer for 30 minutes it’s ready. However, you can let it simmer as long as you like.)
- Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. If the meat sauce tastes too acidic, stir in 1-2 tablespoons sugar.
- Serve warm with pasta.
Notes
- Salt the sauce only after simmering to account for salt from sausage and canned tomatoes.
- Add sugar only if the sauce tastes overly acidic; a small amount balances the flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 248 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 248kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 293mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 224mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 176IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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