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–+ servings
Rich and Hearty Homemade Meat Sauce – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Rich and Hearty Homemade Meat Sauce

A rich, hearty, and customizable homemade meat sauce recipe, perfect for simmering on the stove. This family go-to is simple to make with basic ingredients and freezes beautifully for future meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 5 cup
Calories: 76
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound (454 g / 16 oz) ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced, about ½ cup / 75g (2.65 oz)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 28-ounce / 794g (28 oz) can San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 6-ounce / 170g (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) dried oregano leaves
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • This recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the cooled sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers for quick future meals. It will last up to 3 months.
  • To use fresh herbs, follow the general rule of substituting 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of fresh for every 1 teaspoon of dried.
  • For a richer, deeper flavor, add a splash of dry red wine after browning the beef and let it cook down for a minute before adding the tomatoes.
  • If your tomatoes taste a bit too acidic, balance the sauce with a pinch of sugar or a small, grated carrot.

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. Heat a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the ground beef, onion, garlic, and salt.
  4. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned, about 8 minutes.
  5. Drain off any excess grease.
  6. Add the can of tomatoes to the pan and use your spatula or a spoon to crush them until broken up.
  7. Stir in the tomato paste, bay leaf, basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
  8. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
  9. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 4.1gProtein: 4.6gFat: 4.5g

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