Pasta Meat Sauce
Transform your weeknight dinner into a comforting, flavor-packed experience with this hearty Pasta Meat Sauce recipe. Featuring tender ground beef simmered in a rich, herb-infused tomato sauce, this dish strikes the perfect balance of savory and mildly sweet flavors. Aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a blend of dried oregano and basil create a robust base, while a hint of crushed red pepper adds optional heat. The sauce thickens beautifully as it simmers, making it the ideal pairing for your favorite pasta. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, this classic pasta sauce is perfect for family meals, quick weeknight dinners, or even meal prepping. Ready in just under an hour, this versatile recipe delivers both comfort and convenience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- 1 pound pasta of your choice, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula. Cook until it is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Season the beef with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to evenly coat the beef and enhance the tomato flavor.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth, stirring to combine. Add the granulated sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or herbs to suit your preference.
Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving for a burst of freshness.
Serve the meat sauce over your cooked pasta of choice. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
613 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.9 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.6 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 78 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 715 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.2 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.6 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.2 g | ||
| Protein | 29.9 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 90 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 25% | |
| Potassium | 995 mg | 21% | |
*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.
