Olive Garden Three Meat Sauce
Savor the rich, hearty flavors of the Olive Garden Three Meat Sauce, a comforting Italian-inspired dish that takes traditional pasta sauces to the next level. This recipe features a robust blend of ground beef, mild or spicy Italian sausage, and crispy pancetta, creating layers of savory depth in every bite. Simmered to perfection with a medley of aromatic garlic, onions, dried herbs, and a touch of sweetness from tomato paste and sugar, this sauce delivers a velvety texture and bold taste that clings beautifully to any pasta. Finished with optional Parmesan and fresh basil, it's a restaurant-quality meal you can enjoy right at home. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy date night, this rich and flavorful three meat sauce is guaranteed to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 4 ounces Pancetta, diced
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 Yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 can Crushed tomatoes (canned, 28 ounces)
- 1 can Tomato sauce (canned, 15 ounces)
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and diced pancetta. Cook the pancetta until crispy, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook the meats, breaking them up with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Push the meat mixture to one side of the skillet and add the tomato paste to the cleared space. Cook the tomato paste for 1 minute to deepen its flavor, then stir it into the meat mixture.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Add the dried Italian seasoning, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir the sauce thoroughly, then reduce the heat to low.
Cover and simmer the sauce over low heat for 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, add a pinch more sugar.
Serve the three meat sauce hot over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine.
Optionally, garnish each serving with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for added flavor and presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
507 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.8 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.9 g | 69% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 96 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 1640 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14.7 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.1 g | ||
| Protein | 28.2 g | 56% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 204 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 740 mg | 16% | |
*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.
