Best 10 A Basic Meat Sauce Recipes

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Cooking a flavorful and versatile basic meat sauce is an essential skill for home cooks. Whether you're using it to top pasta dishes or as a filling for lasagna, a well-prepared meat sauce can elevate any meal. This article will guide you through the steps of making a delicious basic meat sauce, providing tips and tricks to help you create a rich and satisfying sauce that will become a staple in your kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MEAT SAUCE



Meat Sauce image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 2h15m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

3 pounds ground beef (I used ground round)
2 pounds sausage
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large yellow onions, diced
2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup white wine or stock (your choice)
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
One 24-ounce jar good store-bought marinara sauce (you can use another jar if you like the sauce to be more saucy than meaty)
One 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
4 bay leaves
1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley or 3 tablespoons parsley flakes, plus more for serving
1 whole rind from 1 wedge Parmesan, optional
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, optional, plus more for serving
2 pounds spaghetti, cooked al dente and tossed with olive oil, for serving
Garlic-cheese bread, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and sausage until totally browned. Remove the meat from the pot with a slotted spoon and put it into a bowl. Set aside.
  • Discard any grease in the pot, but do not clean the pot. Drizzle in the olive oil. When it is heated, throw in the onions and bell peppers. Stir it around for 1 1/2 minutes, and then add the garlic. Stir and cook for an additional minute.
  • Pour in the wine and allow it to bubble up and reduce for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, marinara sauce and tomato paste. Stir to combine, and then add the sugar, salt, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper if using and bay leaves. Stir, and then add the cooked ground beef and sausage and stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or some low-sodium broth if it needs more liquid.
  • After an hour, add the minced parsley and the Parmesan rind if using (or grated Parmesan if you prefer--or both!). Stir to combine, and then put the lid back on and allow it to simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Discard the bay leaves before serving.
  • Serve a big bowl of oiled noodles and the meat sauce so guests can serve themselves. Top each serving with minced parsley and grated Parmesan (or Parmesan shavings) and serve with a big piece of garlic-cheese bread.

BASIC MEAT SAUCE



Basic Meat Sauce image

This meat sauce has slow-cooked flavor (without requiring hours at the stove). Use it in our Famous Lasagna or atop some spaghetti for dinner tonight.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Yield Makes 5 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled plum tomatoes with juice

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and juice, breaking up tomatoes. Simmer over medium heat until thickened and saucy, 45 to 60 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

A BASIC MEAT SAUCE



A Basic Meat Sauce image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 pounds ground beef
2 large onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 fresh ripe medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 12-ounce can tomato paste

Steps:

  • Brown beef in its own fat. Pour off most of drippings. Push meat aside; add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Divide mixture into two equal portions.
  • Serve with spaghetti squash.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 238, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 278 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 1 gram

BEST BASIC MEAT SAUCE RECIPE



Best Basic Meat Sauce Recipe image

Everyone needs a basic meat sauce recipe. Sautéed onion, garlic mixed with ground beef, tomato sauce and herbs. Serve over pasta or spaghetti squash!

Provided by Laurie McNamara

Categories     Kitchen Basics

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (diced (about 1 heaping cup))
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 pounds ground beef chuck (sirloin or round (your choice))
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon basil
2 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • In a deep sided 12-inch skillet, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-low heat.
  • Add in the onion and a pinch of kosher salt. Cook until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes.
  • Then stir in the garlic and cook 1 to 2 minutes before adding in the ground beef.
  • Increase the heat to medium and use a wooden spoon to break up the beef and cook until browned. Use a spoon to remove the fat from the pan and discard.
  • Season the ground beef mixture with Italian seasoning and basil. Pour in the sauce and stir in the salt, pepper and sugar.
  • Simmer for 20 minutes on low heat before serving.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 307 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 20 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Sodium 370 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 12 g

PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE



Pasta with Meat Sauce image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons oil (I'm using olive oil)
2 pounds ground meat of your choice, such as beef, pork, turkey, chicken, lamb (I'm using beef)
1 onion, diced (I'm using yellow onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup tomato paste
3/4 cup liquid of your choice, such as beef stock, chicken stock, water or wine (I'm using red wine)
One 28-ounce can tomato product (I'm using crushed tomatoes)
2 tablespoons oregano (if you have it)
Salt and pepper
1 pound dry pasta (I'm using rigatoni)
3 tablespoons grated hard cheese (I'm using Parmesan)

Steps:

  • Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat and cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened and the flavors come together, about 1 hour.
  • About 20 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt liberally. Drop in the pasta, give it a stir and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Remove from the heat, toss in the cheese and serve.

EASY MEAT SAUCE



Easy Meat Sauce image

This is a recipe that you can throw together in 10 minutes and then go and do whatever you want for 1 hour. It is not the thickest sauce, but it is delicious.

Provided by animalluver

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 1h40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 ¼ pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 (15 ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1 splash red wine

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; saute onion in hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Season onion with Italian seasoning; continue to saute until the herbs are fragrant, about 3 minutes more.
  • Break beef into small pieces and add to the skillet; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Stir tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the beef mixture; season with salt, place a lid on the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer for 1 hour.
  • Splash wine over the mixture, stir, and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 286 calories, Carbohydrate 20.1 g, Cholesterol 59.1 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 19.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 1553.1 mg, Sugar 10.7 g

SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH GROUND BEEF



Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef image

This recipe has been handed down from my mother. It is a family favorite and will not be replaced! (Definite husband pleaser!)

Provided by Hank's Mom

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 1h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper in a large saucepan. Cook and stir until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain grease.
  • Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer spaghetti sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 185.1 calories, Carbohydrate 15 g, Cholesterol 34.8 mg, Fat 9.3 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 12.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 930.8 mg, Sugar 8.6 g

EASY SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE



Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce image

A simple, easy Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce. I have never bought bottle sauce again. This is a versatile recipe.

Provided by cle0369

Categories     Sauces

Time 1h15m

Yield 1 cup, 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (8 ounce) fresh sliced mushrooms
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with onion and garlic
1 (6 ounce) can Italian-style tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • 1. Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, mushrooms and green pepper in a large saucepan. Cook and stir until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain grease.
  • 2. Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer spaghetti sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

BASIC SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE



Basic Spaghetti Meat Sauce image

This recipe is a result of the ingredients i had on hand, very meaty. Feel free to adjust to your taste, more garlic, etc.

Provided by 89240

Categories     Sauces

Time 1h20m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 dash thyme
1 dash black pepper
1 dash red pepper
1/2-1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Heat butter and olive oil over medium heat in saucepan.
  • When butter is melted, add onions and garlic; cook until onions are soft.
  • Add beef and brown, drain if desired.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over cooked pasta of your choice.

PASTA AND EASY ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE



Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce image

Here is an easy dinner recipe. This Pasta and Italian Meat Sauce doesn't need to cook for a long time to be delicious. The spaghetti sauce is based on the famed Ragu alla Bolognese (sauce in the style of Bologna). The addition of milk might seem unusual, but it's traditional in northern Italy-where butter and cream, as well as milk, are essential to the cuisine.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 carrot, grated (about 1/2 cup)
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 pound ground beef
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes
1/2 cup milk
1 dried bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound fettuccine
Grated Parmesan, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium. Stir in carrot, onion, and garlic. Add ground beef, and cook until it turns from pink to brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and their liquid, crushing them with the back of a large spoon. Stir in milk, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions, about 12 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain fettuccine, and return to the warm pot. Add meat sauce, and toss. Add pasta water as needed if the sauce seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will be.
  • Brown the meat well. This will help to develop flavor and prevent the sauce from being greasy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will add flavor, color, and texture to the sauce.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Season the sauce to taste. Use salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to your liking.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, rice, or potatoes.

Conclusion:

A basic meat sauce is a versatile and delicious dish that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be served over pasta, rice, or potatoes, or used as a filling for tacos, burritos, or lasagna. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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