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Italian Meat Sauce

Italian Meat Sauce
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A classic Italian Meat Sauce recipe delivering rich, hearty flavors with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Perfect for any pasta, this sauce is a comforting, family-friendly meal that’s quick to prepare and versatile to customize.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Oils

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Base

  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Seasonings and Herbs

  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic. Gather all ingredients for easy access.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add chopped onions to the skillet and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Add Tomato Base and Seasonings: Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Sprinkle dried herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine all flavors.
  5. Simmer to Perfection: Lower heat and simmer the sauce uncovered for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
  6. Final Taste and Adjustments: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If acidity is strong, add a pinch of sugar to balance. Your Italian Meat Sauce is ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use quality meat with higher fat content for juicier sauce.
  • Don’t skip browning the meat to build deeper flavors.
  • Simmer slowly for richer, harmonious taste.
  • Adjust seasonings gradually while tasting.
  • Stir in fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving for added freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Meat Sauce, pasta sauce, ground beef sauce, easy meat sauce, homemade pasta sauce, gluten free meat sauce

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/italian-meat-sauce/