Description
Easy Meat Sauce is a hearty and flavorful tomato-based sauce made with ground beef, herbs, and spices, perfect for pairing with pasta or using in lasagna.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add sugar if desired to cut the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use Italian sausage or a mix of ground meats for more flavor variety.
- Great over spaghetti, in lasagna, or as a base for baked pasta dishes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 40mg