Description
This hearty and flavorful meat sauce is perfect for serving over pasta or as a base for many Italian-inspired dishes. Made with ground beef, aromatic vegetables, rich tomatoes, and a blend of herbs and spices, it simmers slowly to develop a robust and savory taste that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown and Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Then add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, cooking until they soften and become translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, and red wine. Continue cooking until the wine has mostly evaporated.
- Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer gently for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce thickens too much during cooking, thin it out with beef broth, chicken broth, or reserved pasta water.
- Season and Serve: After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as necessary. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish the sauce with freshly chopped parsley and serve it hot over your favorite pasta. Top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired for an extra layer of flavor.
Notes
- Simmering the sauce for a long time develops deeper flavors, so be patient.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes during the sauté step.
- Using good quality crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce will enhance the taste.
- This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
- To lighten the sauce, drain excess fat from the browned beef before adding vegetables and liquids.
