Name: Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 large yellow onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 lbs. ground beef; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 teaspoons dried parsley; 2 teaspoons dried basil; 2 teaspoons mustard powder; 2 teaspoons salt; 1.5 teaspoons oregano; 2 pinches red pepper flakes; 2 bay leaves; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3/4 cup dry red wine; 6 oz. tomato paste; 28 oz. crushed tomatoes; 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained; 8 oz. tomato sauce; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons hot sauce; 2 tablespoons sugar

Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 51 reviews

This hearty meat sauce recipe combines seasoned ground beef with a rich tomato base, enhanced by aromatic vegetables, red wine, and a blend of herbs and spices. Simmered to perfection, it makes a perfect savory topping for pasta or a flavorful filling for lasagna.

Author: Rita
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 large yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Meat and Seasonings

2 lbs. ground beef
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons salt
1.5 teaspoons oregano
2 pinches red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves

Liquids and Sauces

2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup dry red wine
6 oz. tomato paste
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz. tomato sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce

Other

2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

Prepare the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.
Cook the beef and vegetables: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the beef to the pot. Cook and crumble it for 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and diced green bell pepper and cook for another 3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
Deglaze the pot: Drain excess grease from the pot. Pour in the dry red wine and use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes until most liquid has evaporated and the alcohol smell dissipates.
Add seasonings and pastes: Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, sugar, and dried herbs (parsley, basil, mustard powder, salt, oregano, red pepper flakes) along with the bay leaves. Mix thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables evenly.
Add tomatoes and simmer: Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (with juice), and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a medium-low simmer. Partially cover and let cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking until the sauce thickens to desired consistency.
Serve: Remove bay leaves before serving. Enjoy the meat sauce over your favorite pasta and accompany with garlic bread topped with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

Use lean ground beef if you prefer a less greasy sauce.
Dry red wine adds depth of flavor; substitute with beef broth if avoiding alcohol.
Stir the sauce regularly while simmering to prevent burning and maintain texture.
Letting the sauce simmer longer enhances the richness and melds flavors better.

Keywords: meat sauce, spaghetti sauce, ground beef sauce, Italian meat sauce, pasta sauce recipe, homemade meat sauce

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