Meat Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
55 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
741 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Meat Sauce Recipe
Description
The Meat Sauce Recipe features sautéed onion, garlic, carrot, and celery forming a classic soffritto base, which adds depth and sweetness. Browning the lean ground beef with these ingredients infuses the sauce with rich meatiness. Tomato puree provides a smooth tomato flavor, while chicken stock and water adjust the consistency during simmering.
A blend of dried oregano, basil, fresh chopped basil, bay leaves, and optional hot pepper flakes enriches the sauce’s aroma and taste. The sauce is simmered about 35-40 minutes to thicken and blend the flavors fully. Once done, the bay leaf is removed before serving.
This sauce pairs well with various pasta types such as fettuccine or penne, and can be topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Cooling tastes develop if left overnight, enhancing the complexity. The recipe suggests flexibility with meats, allowing substitution of pork, sausage, or turkey.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for several days or frozen up to three months in a sealed container. Reheating should be gentle to preserve flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons carrot chopped
- 2 tablespoons onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons celery chopped
- 1 pound ground beef 454 grams, lean
- 3 cups tomato puree 680 grams, aka passata
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½-¾ teaspoon oregano
- ½-¾ teaspoon basil
- 3-4 leaves basil fresh leaves, chopped
- 1-2 bay leaf
- 1-2 pinches hot pepper flakes or black pepper if desired
- 4 cups pasta cooked, examples fettuccine, penne
*You can use ½ ground beef and ½ ground pork if desired.
Instructions
- In a medium- sized pot add the olive oil, garlic, chopped carrot, onion and celery, cook on medium heat for approximately 2-3 minutes or until the onion is transparent.
- Add the ground beef and brown, then add the puree, water, salt, oregano, basil, fresh basil leaves, bay leaf and hot pepper flakes (or black pepper) if desired, stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer half covered for approximately 35-40 minutes or until desired thickness, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf.
- Serve over cooked fettuccine or pasta of choice, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Try ground pork, Italian sausage, or a beef-pork mixture for variation in flavor and texture.
- Ground turkey may be used as a leaner meat substitute.
- The sauce improves in flavor when refrigerated overnight, allowing seasoning to meld.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for several days or freeze for up to three months.
- Thaw frozen sauce overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on low to medium heat before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 741 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 741kcal | 37% |
| Carbohydrates | 66g | 22% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 47mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 2762mg | 115% |
| Potassium | 889mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 2458IU | 49% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 96mg | 10% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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