Man Made Meat Sauce
Rich, hearty, and packed with bold flavors, "Man Made Meat Sauce" is the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe for pasta night. This robust sauce combines seasoned ground beef and savory Italian sausage, sautéed with aromatic garlic and onions for a flavor-packed base. Simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and a splash of red wine, it’s elevated with key Italian seasonings like basil and oregano, plus a subtle hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes. The result is a thick and comforting tomato-based sauce that clings beautifully to pasta, making it ideal for spaghetti, penne, or even lasagna. Topped with freshly chopped basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this homemade meat sauce is perfect for feeding a family or impressing dinner guests with authentic Italian-inspired flair. Ready in just over an hour, it’s the perfect balance of convenience and homemade goodness!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 0.5 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-9 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and red wine (if using), stirring to combine.
Season the sauce with dried basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if desired), sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and allow the sauce to simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or sugar to balance flavors.
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil.
Serve hot over your favorite pasta or dish, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2736 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 199.1 g | 255% | |
| Saturated Fat | 72.9 g | 365% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 509 mg | 170% | |
| Sodium | 7178 mg | 312% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 86.7 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.7 g | 67% | |
| Total Sugars | 45.2 g | ||
| Protein | 148.8 g | 298% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 973 mg | 75% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 4161 mg | 89% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
