Ultimate Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe

This Ultimate Hearty Meat Sauce is a rich and flavorful masterpiece, combining ground beef and Italian sausage with classic Italian seasonings. Perfect for lasagna, spaghetti, zoodles, or any pasta dish, this sauce comes together with pantry staples and a subtle touch of sweetness for perfectly balanced flavor.

Ingredients and Notes

• Ground Meat: Use 1 pound each of ground beef and Italian sausage for a deliciously balanced flavor. For a lighter option, go with lean ground beef.
• Sugar (Optional): Adjust sweetness to your taste. Omit it entirely or add up to ½ cup for a sweeter sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Make your own blend with dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. Fresh herbs can also be used for added depth.
• Fennel Seeds: These enhance the Italian sausage flavor. For a purely sweet tomato sauce, omit fennel seeds and stick with ground beef, adding up to ¼ cup of sugar if desired.

How to Make the Sauce

1. Brown the Meat:
   In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onion over medium heat until mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. Drain excess fat if preferred.
2. Add Aromatics:
   Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
3. Combine Tomatoes and Seasonings:
   Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and a bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine.
4. Simmer:
   Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper is recommended).
5. Serve:
   Serve the sauce over cooked pasta, zoodles, or use it in recipes like lasagna, zucchini parmesan, or eggplant parmesan.

Tips and Variations

• Yield: Makes 2 quarts (8 cups), enough for 16 servings of ½ cup each.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Make-Ahead: Prepare up to 3 days in advance. Cool quickly by placing the pot in a bowl of ice water, stirring occasionally.
• Freezing: Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Customization Options:

• Lighter Sauce: Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef and sausage.
• Fresh Herbs: Add parsley or basil at the end for a burst of fresh flavor.
• Spicy: Include red pepper flakes for heat.
• Creamy: Stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream to create a creamy sauce.
• Richer Flavor: Add 1–2 tablespoons of butter or a drizzle of olive oil.
• Thicker Sauce: Simmer longer or mix in an extra can of tomato paste.
• Bolognese Style: Use ground beef and pork with mirepoix (onions, carrots, and celery), tomato paste, white wine, and milk. Note: Traditional Bolognese omits garlic.
• Meatless: Replace meat with additional vegetables like diced carrots and bell peppers for a vegetarian version.

Pairing Ideas and Recipes

• Italian Meatballs: Pair with spaghetti, make meatball subs, or serve as appetizers.
• Spaghetti and Meatballs: A comforting classic with nostalgic Italian-American vibes.
• Spaghetti Squash: Top cooked spaghetti squash with the sauce for a low-carb alternative.
• Lasagna: Use this sauce in a traditional lasagna or a convenient make-ahead version.
• Zucchini Lasagna: Replace noodles with zucchini slices for a lighter option.
• Zucchini Parmesan: Layer roasted zucchini with the sauce and cheese for a quick, hearty dinner.
• Baked Ziti: A simpler yet cheesy and comforting alternative to lasagna.

This hearty, versatile meat sauce is a must-have recipe for any home cook. Whether you’re preparing a classic pasta dinner, exploring low-carb options, or trying creative variations, this sauce is sure to become a family favorite!

Servings: 16 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 171 kcal

This quick and flavorful meat sauce is made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and a perfect blend of spices. It’s versatile enough for lasagna, spaghetti, or zoodles!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Cook the Meat and Onions:
   In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onion over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until browned. Drain any excess fat if desired.
2. Add Garlic:
   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
3. Combine Remaining Ingredients:
   Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar (if using), basil, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and bay leaf. Stir everything together.
4. Simmer:
   Let the sauce simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve:
   Serve hot over your favorite pasta, zoodles, or use it in dishes like lasagna or baked ziti.

Notes

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Cool the sauce completely and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 171 kcal
• Fat: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg
• Potassium: 319 mg
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Calcium: 36 mg
• Iron: 2 mg