The Best Meat Sauce
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
173 kcal
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Course
Condiments, Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian
The Best Meat Sauce
Description
The Best Meat Sauce is prepared by browning ground beef and then softening onion and green bell pepper with garlic. Tomato paste and crushed tomatoes build the tomato base, which is gently balanced with Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adding red wine enhances the sauce’s complexity and acidity. The mixture simmers for two to three hours, allowing flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken naturally. Bay leaves provide additional aromatic depth during this process.
This sauce is well-suited for classic pasta dishes like spaghetti and can be garnished with fresh parsley or basil and Parmesan cheese. It offers a hearty, well-rounded flavor with tender pieces of vegetable and beef throughout.
Practical tips include thinning the sauce as needed with broth or pasta water and storing leftovers properly. The sauce keeps well refrigerated for several days and freezes well for up to six months, making it convenient to prepare in advance.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ¼ cup red wine
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 bay leaf
- ¼ cup parsley chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 3 minutes, breaking it as you go, until no longer pink.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for another 3 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, and red wine. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the wine cooked off.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and bay leaves to the pot, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a medium-low. Cover the pot and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If your sauce is too thick add some of the beef or chicken broth to thin it out, or even pasta water.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve over pasta and garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- If the sauce thickens too much, thin it with beef or chicken broth or reserved pasta cooking water.
- Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers; they keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave, stirring frequently to heat evenly.
- Freeze cooled sauce in airtight containers for 4-6 months for long-term storage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 173 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 173kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 37mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 372mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 611mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 529IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 23% |
| Calcium | 51mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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