Meat Sauce Recipe
Your family will fall in love with this delicious homemade Meat Sauce Recipe. Packed with traditional Italian flavors, this homemade “gravy” is going to be a go-to for your regular pasta (or zoodle) nights at home.
Meat Sauce Recipe
If you’ve never made your own homemade meat sauce for spaghetti, you don’t know what you are missing.
Sure, there are some good jars of pasta sauce on the market, but nothing will ever be as good as homemade.
With the traditional garlic and tomato base, sweet Italian sausage, and just enough wine to bring the flavors together, this will make you feel like you’ve conquered Italian cuisine.
The combination of beef and sausage brings a rich meaty base to this tomato sauce that is ideal with many pasta dishes, which is Alan’s most requested birthday meal EVERY year!
Make This Meat Sauce From Scratch
Although there are plenty of time when it is convenient to grab a prepared jar of marinara sauce.
There are just as many reasons to make this at home!
The flavors are delicious and it really doesn’t take too much time. Promise!
First, cook the meat and drain any extra fat. Next, add the seasonings, tomato sauce and puree. Mix and simmer! See, super simple.
Cook meat thoroughly. Add Seasonings. Fold in tomatoes and basil leaf Simmer before enjoying
Can I Freeze This Meat Sauce Recipe for Spaghetti?
Yes! One of my favorite things about this recipe is that I can make it in large batches and freeze it to use later.
I’ve even heard some like to can their homemade sauces. While I’ve never tried my hand at that, I have had great success with freezing this for future meals.
Cook the sauce completely, then allow it to cool. You will want to bring it down to at least room temperature, and then pour into freezer storage containers or freezer storage bags that have been labeled and dated.
For meat sauces I prefer freezer bags so that they can lay flat. Bon appetit Test Kitchen shares that a well packaged sauce will last up to 6 months, but for the best flavor it’s best to use in 2 months.
I like to put this in 2 cup portions when freezing. While a full meal using this will typically need more than this, I also like being able to take out just a little for a fast lunch or serving just for 2 people instead of the whole family.
Do I Have to Use Sausage in This Sauce?
If you don’t enjoy the spices of sausage, or maybe you want to keep this an all beef recipe, you can definitely substitute the sausage for more beef like I did in this Crock Pot pasta sauce.
In this case, you will likely want to add more seasonings to the mixture to up the flavor profile.
I like to add additional garlic, basil, oregano, and a pinch of red chili flakes if I am not using sausage in my meat sauce recipe.
You can play with the flavors you prefer to make this truly unique to you and your preferences.
Can I Replace The White Wine?
Sure! I happen to add the wine that I have open, so sometimes I will use red wine for a richer flavor.
If you prefer to not add any wine, then replace the wine with chicken or beef stock.
No stock? Don’t worry. A little water in place of wine will be fine in this recipe.
How Can I Use This Homemade Meat Sauce?
This meat sauce recipe is definitely one of the more versatile sauces I have made before. It can be added to many dishes, of course that includes the basic pasta or casserole dishes.
It is wonderful in place of a jar sauce in this fried halloumi cheese and zucchini topped pasta.
So much added flavor to this dish that makes it upscale for an easy meal. You could even use it in this pasta in a pot recipe.
It’s a great recipe to pour over zoodles, any pasta, and even to add into your lasagna or baked pasta dishes in place of a tomato sauce.
With so much flavor from the rich beef and sausage, it will soon become a regular in your menu plan.
Meat Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage sweet
- 1/3 cup diced onion
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 bay leaf whole
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 2 6 oz. tomato paste
- 1/2 cup white wine
Instructions
- In a large saucepan add one tablespoon of avocado or olive oil and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add sausage and ground beef and break into small chunks with a spoon. Continue to break down the meat as it cooks into the size you desire.
- Drain meat if there is extra water or fat.
- Add diced onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and fennel seeds and stir for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and wine (or broth). Stir until the ingredients and well combined.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 60 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
PIN TO YOUR SAUCE, BEEF, PASTA AND ZOODLE BOARDS
Bring on the meat! My husband loves this sauce so much! Thank you for the recipe!
Yum, yum, yum! A new family fave, helps fill the stomach’s of teenage boys!! Easy and oh so flavorful!