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5.0 from 288 votes

Homemade Meat Sauce

This amazing meat sauce recipe hails from my father-in-law's kitchen and is everyone's favorite. It's thick, hearty, and has phenomenal flavor thanks to a combination of beef, veal, and pork.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 3 ½ quarts
Calories: 877 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons  olive oil
  • 8 ounces ground beef
  • 8 ounces ground pork
  • 8 ounces ground veal
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 tablespoons dried basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 2 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 ounce can tomato puree

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. When it is shimmering, add the ground beef, pork and veal, and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned.
  2. Add the onion and garlic to the meat mixture and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the dried basil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Stir in the red wine and let simmer for about 1 minute, until mostly evaporated.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and add the crushed tomatoes and tomato puree to the pot, stirring to incorporate. Reduce the heat to the lowest simmer possible, and place a lid on the pot slightly ajar. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Notes

  • Nutritional values are based on half a quart of sauce
  • Equipment - An 8-quart pot or a 7.25-quart Dutch oven is perfect for this sauce!
  • The Tomatoes - My father-in-law swears by Tuttorosso crushed tomatoes and tomato puree. He said he loves prefers it because they are both nice and thick, which makes for a heartier sauce. This brand is primarily sold in the Eastern part of the U.S. (though you can sometimes get it on Amazon, from Target, or Walmart), so if you can’t find it, feel free to use your favorite or whatever is available. He did note that he has found some brands of crushed tomatoes are a little watery compared to the Tuttorosso brand, so if this happens to be the case, you might want to add a small can of tomato paste to thicken up the sauce.
  • Wine: I use whatever red wine we have available at home, usually something like cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir. It can also be omitted if you are unable to consume wine.
  • Meatless - If you prefer a meatless sauce, you can simply omit the meat and make the sauce as directed below. I’ve done that multiple times when I’ve made baked ziti, and it’s just as fabulous.
  • Extra Flavor - As I've mentioned above, you can use different/extra herbs, and even a pinch or two of red pepper flakes for an extra pop!
  • Long and Low Simmer - For the best-tasting sauce, once it is simmering on the stove, let it go for at least 2 or 3 hours so that all of the flavors meld and intensify.
  • Storage - Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing Instructions - This sauce freezes beautifully! Once the sauce is cooled and in an airtight container, store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a saucepan over low heat.

Nutrition Information

Calories 877kcal (44%) Carbohydrates 70g (23%) Protein 58g (116%) Fat 42g (65%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 163mg (54%) Sodium 944mg (39%) Potassium 3685mg (105%) Fiber 17g (68%) Sugar 37g (74%) Vitamin A 2525IU (51%) Vitamin C 80.9mg (90%) Calcium 390mg (39%) Iron 19.8mg (110%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3½ quarts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 877

% Daily Value*

Calories 877kcal 44%
Carbohydrates 70g 23%
Protein 58g 116%
Fat 42g 65%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 163mg 54%
Sodium 944mg 39%
Potassium 3685mg 78%
Fiber 17g 68%
Sugar 37g 74%
Vitamin A 2525IU 51%
Vitamin C 80.9mg 90%
Calcium 390mg 39%
Iron 19.8mg 110%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.