Description
Hearty Italian Meat Sauce brings robust flavors from generations of family cooking traditions. Simmering tomatoes, ground beef, and aromatic herbs create a rich, comforting meal you’ll savor with each delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 8 oz tomato sauce
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs, Spices, and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1.5 teaspoons oregano
- 2 pinches red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Gently sauté diced onions for approximately 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even caramelization.
- Elevate the protein by introducing seasoned ground beef to the pot. Increase heat to medium-high and cook for 5 minutes, fragmenting the meat and developing rich, crispy edges for enhanced flavor profile.
- Incorporate minced garlic and diced bell peppers, cooking for 3 minutes until vegetables soften and aromatics become intensely fragrant. This step builds depth and complexity in the sauce.
- Deglaze the pot with red wine, using a spatula to extract caramelized bits from the bottom. Allow liquid to reduce for 5-6 minutes, concentrating the wine’s robust characteristics.
- Introduce a symphony of seasonings: dried herbs, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and sugar. Blend thoroughly to activate and distribute spice notes throughout the mixture.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Add bay leaves and bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Partially cover and let the sauce develop for 45 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching and allow flavors to meld harmoniously.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for leaner proteins like turkey or plant-based crumbles to reduce fat and accommodate different dietary needs.
- Enhance vegetable content by adding extra diced carrots or zucchini for increased nutrition and depth of flavor.
- Use low-sodium alternatives for Worcestershire sauce and tomato products to control salt intake without compromising taste.
- Freeze extra sauce in portion-sized containers for quick future meals, maintaining quality for up to three months when properly stored.
- Prep Time: 19 minutes
- Cook Time: 51 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg