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Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 103 reviews

A hearty and flavorful meat sauce simmered to perfection, combining ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a rich blend of tomatoes and seasonings, ideal for serving over your favorite pasta.

Ingredients

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Meat Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 lbs. ground beef (see notes)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup dry red wine (see notes)
  • 6 oz. tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
  • 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1.5 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 pinches red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and let them soften for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for about 5 minutes until browned. Then add the minced garlic and finely diced green bell pepper and cook for an additional 3 minutes to combine flavors.
  3. Deglaze with Wine: Drain any excess grease from the pot carefully. Pour in the dry red wine and use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot, loosening any browned bits. Allow the wine to cook down for 5 to 6 minutes until only a little liquid remains and the alcohol aroma has dissipated.
  4. Add the Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in the dried parsley, basil, mustard powder, salt, oregano, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and sugar. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables evenly with the seasonings.
  5. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover the pot and let the sauce simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure the meat doesn’t settle at the bottom. Simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness and consistency.
  6. Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Serve the rich meat sauce hot over cooked pasta of your choice, accompanied by garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use ground beef with a fat content of 80/20 for juiciness and richness.
  • Dry red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot works well for deglazing and adding depth to the sauce.
  • If you prefer a milder sauce, adjust or omit the hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
  • The sauce can be made ahead and freezes well for up to 3 months.
  • Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Keywords: meat sauce, spaghetti sauce, homemade pasta sauce, ground beef sauce, Italian sauce, tomato sauce, hearty sauce

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/hearty-meat-sauce-recipe/