Meat Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
10
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Calories
338 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Meat Sauce
Description
The recipe begins by sautéing onion in olive oil, then adding and browning ground beef and sausage after removing sausage casings. Garlic is briefly cooked to release aroma before adding crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, oregano, and sugar to balance acidity. Red pepper flakes add optional heat.
The sauce simmers with the lid partially open for at least 30 minutes to concentrate flavors and thicken the consistency. Frequent stirring and temperature control prevent burning or excessive evaporation. Seasoning with salt and pepper is generous to enhance all components.
This versatile sauce is designed to be served over pasta but can also function as a base for other Italian dishes. It freezes well for convenient storage. The recipe notes that the sugar helps reduce tomato acidity and improve flavor balance.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage see note
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon white sugar see note
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional, crushed
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil and onion to a pot, Dutch oven, or braiser and sauté over medium-high heat for 4 minutes.
- Add in the ground beef and sausage meat and cook it, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along, until browned (about 8-10 minutes). Spoon out some of the excess fat (I leave a few tablespoons in for flavor).
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, oregano, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. When it starts to bubble, reduce the heat, cover the pot with the lid slightly open, and simmer for at least 30 minutes (up to an hour or even more if desired - the longer you cook it, the more flavorful it'll become). Stir it occasionally during this time, and adjust the heat as needed to maintain a simmer (between low and medium-low on my stove). Thin with extra beef broth if needed.
- Season with salt & pepper as needed (I am generous with both), and serve over pasta.
Notes
- Use ground sausage meat or remove sausage casings before cooking to ensure even browning and flavor distribution.
- The added sugar helps reduce tomato acidity and sweeten the sauce; omit only if preferred.
- Portion sizes vary based on appetite and side dishes served alongside the sauce.
- This sauce freezes well, making it convenient for meal prep and leftovers.
- Recipe appears in Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook, page 42.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 691mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 684mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 440IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 63mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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