Meat Sauce Recipe

This easy Meat Sauce Recipe makes people think it's been simmering for hours when, in reality, it'll take you less than one. Quick, simple, and so delicious, this weeknight meal is bound to earn a spot on your family's weekly dinnertime rotation.

Spaghetti and meat sauce has literally been my favorite food my entire life, but there was a vast difference between my grandmother's homemade version and my working mom's quick-fix Ragu version. I'm sure you can guess which one got the trump card.

Understanding the busyness of life and the need for quick, convenient, and wholesome dinners, I've landed on a ground beef spaghetti sauce that'll give you classic Italian flavors...in under an hour. It took years of experimenting and perfecting, but it was well worth the effort. This is a hearty sauce everyone swoons for.

Love hearty pasta recipes? Try my Cajun shrimp pasta and steak pasta as well!

WHY THIS SPAGHETTI SAUCE WORKS

Canned tomatoes in and of themselves aren't that great, but in order to turn them into something exquisitely delicious in a fairly short amount of time, you need the right combo of the right ingredients.

The problem with other quick-fix recipes is that the watery, raw flavor of canned tomatoes is the prominent flavor profile. On the other hand, in many of the long-simmering recipes, not only are you looking at a time investment weeknights don't allow for, but you're also likely presented with an extremely long (and unnecessary) ingredient list.

Our spaghetti and meat sauce recipe comes together fast with only a few simple, balanced ingredients. Sugar and basil are largely responsible for that, which we will touch on in the ingredient section. If you're ready to skip right down the recipe card, rest assured amazing savory flavor and a consistency that coats the spaghetti just right is in your very near future. We use this meat sauce recipe in our stuffed shells, too, and it's so easy. If fast yet delicious recipes are a must in your household check out our 30-minute meals!

MEAT SAUCE INGREDIENTS

• Olive Oil | Used in authentic Italian food, this oil adds subtle flavor to the sauce.
• Meat | Our recipe calls for 90/10 ground beef, which keeps you from having to strain any fat. You can also use any combination of ground pork or Italian sausage mixed in with ground beef if you prefer.
• Fresh Herbs | Basil and tomatoes are a match made in heaven. And, bonus alert: You don't need Italian seasoning when fresh basil is in the mix.
• Tomatoes | We use a combo of tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes for this spaghetti and meat sauce. I recommend using San Marzano tomatoes. They are well worth the splurge, and you will taste the difference. This tomato variety has fewer seeds and a richer flavor.
• Spices | Spices for homemade spaghetti sauce are red pepper flakes, Kosher salt, and pepper.
• Sugar | Sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and is the reason for the quick balance of flavor.

To add another delicious sauce to your repertoire, this gorgonzola sauce will level up any steak night!

MEAT SAUCE VS. BOLOGNESE

Meat sauce and Bolognese are both savory Italian concoctions, but there are definitely distinct differences between the two.

Spaghetti meat sauce traditionally uses ground beef, whereas Bolognese contains a variety of complex ground meats -- pork, veal, and sometimes even chicken.

The texture differences between the two sauces are also striking. The meat sauce is a thinner sauce, unlike Bolognese sauce, which is thicker and creamier due to the addition of milk.

The flavor profiles are also contrasting. Meat sauce presents a straightforward flavor, while the different meats give the Bolognese a more nuanced flavor.

HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE

1. Add the olive oil to a large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat and allow to come to temperature.

2. Add the ground beef to the pan and break it apart with a wooden spatula.

3. Add the onion and sprinkle with Kosher salt and black pepper. Cook for
about 10 minutes, stirring often.

4. Add the canned tomatoes, sugar, the remaining Kosher salt, and red pepper
flakes.

5. Allow the sauce to reach a simmer. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain the simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring often.

6. Add basil, stir, and simmer for about 10 minutes more.

7. Serve this meat sauce with spaghetti or macaroni noodles with a side of
warm garlic bread, and enjoy!

HOW TO BROWN GROUND BEEF FOR SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Following the steps above, add oil to a skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and allow it to come to temperature.

Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the meat into larger chunks so that it cooks evenly until it cooks through. Season and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MAKE-AHEAD, STORING, AND FREEZING

Make Ahead | This sauce is a great make-ahead recipe. The flavors build overnight, and it's even great up to 2-3 days later. It may thicken, so add a splash of water, chicken, or beef broth until the desired consistency is reached.

Store | Keep your meat sauce in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Freeze | Before freezing, allow the sauce to cool completely. Freeze in an airtight container, but watch the headspace to avoid freezer burn. A gallon-sized freezer-safe zip-top bag is another great option for freezing. Store frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheat | To reheat, bring the stove to low heat and add sauce, stirring often. To reheat spaghetti meat sauce in the microwave, make sure you cover it--it will splatter. Microwave for 2 minutes, then check your sauce. Microwave for 1 minute more until heated to your liking. If meat sauce is frozen, place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw, then reheat in the microwave.

Sources: Today.com | What's So Special About San Marzanos?; Test Food Kitchen - Is Bolognese the Same as a Meat Sauce?