Homemade Meat Sauce for Pasta + More
A hearty, flavorful sauce made with beef, Italian sausage, and three kinds of tomatoes—perfect for spaghetti, lasagna, or any pasta night.
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Can opener
- Ladle for serving
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage or ground pork
- 1 large onion peeled and chopped
- 6 cloves fresh garlic peeled and minced
- 3 T granulated sugar divided
- 1 T Italian seasoning blend
- 1 t salt
- ½ t ground black pepper
- ¼ c fresh parsley chopped
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes with basil garlic, and oregano (or regular diced tomatoes)
- ½ c chicken or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Place ground beef, sausage, and onion in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until the meat browns, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off excess fat.
- Add garlic; cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in 2 T sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix well.
- Add tomato paste, stirring to coat the meat mixture.
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and broth. Stir thoroughly.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce to low, cover, and simmer at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, adding the remaining 1 T sugar if needed.
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