Homemade Meat Sauce
This hearty Homemade Meat Sauce is rich, savory, and simmered to perfection with ground beef, tomatoes, garlic, and a splash of red wine. Perfect for spaghetti night, lasagna layering, or stashing in the freezer for a busy weeknight.
Servings: 12
Calories: 173kcal
Equipment
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 pepper or to taste
- ¼ cup red wine
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
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.
Video
Notes
- Wine choice: A dry red like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Chianti works best. Skip the “cooking wine” and go for something you would actually drink.
- Make ahead: This sauce is even better the next day. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 4 to 6 months.
- Meat swaps: Mix beef with pork for richness, swap in turkey or chicken for leaner, or toss in Italian sausage for a punch of flavor.
- Sugar fix: A tablespoon of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Taste before adding and adjust as needed.
- Troubleshooting: Too watery? Simmer uncovered longer to thicken. Too thick? Splash in a bit of broth, wine, or pasta water. Too salty? Add a pinch of sugar or stir in some unsalted tomato sauce to mellow it out.
- Serving tip: Always save a splash of pasta water and toss it into the sauce with your pasta. It helps everything cling beautifully.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 598mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 531IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg
