Best 6 Best Italian Meat Sauce Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the culinary masterpiece of Italy – the hearty and flavorful Italian meat sauce. This iconic dish, a staple in Italian cuisine, is a simmering symphony of succulent ground beef, aromatic vegetables, luscious tomatoes, and a medley of Italian herbs and spices. Embark on a culinary journey as you explore four delectable variations of this classic sauce, each with its own unique twist. From the traditional Italian meat sauce, rich with red wine and Parmesan cheese, to the zesty and vibrant Arrabbiata sauce, ignited with fiery chili peppers, these recipes promise an explosion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Discover the lusciousness of the Bolognese sauce, simmered to perfection with a touch of cream for a velvety texture, and relish the simplicity of the quick and easy weeknight meat sauce, perfect for busy families. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you effortlessly in crafting an authentic Italian meat sauce that will transport you to the heart of Italy with every bite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE



Spaghetti Meat Sauce image

Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce is beefy, juicy and so satisfying. This Meat Sauce recipe comes together fast so it is perfect for busy weeknights, and it's freezer friendly.

Provided by Natasha Kravchuk

Categories     Easy

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb ground beef (15% fat)
1 medium onion (finely diced)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 garlic cloves (minced)
24 oz marinara sauce
1/4 cup water
1 tsp granulated sugar
12 oz spaghetti (to serve)

Steps:

  • Place a pot or dutch oven over medium heat, add 1 lb ground beef and sautee, breaking it up with a spatula until no longer pink (5 minutes).
  • Add chopped onion, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp pepper and sautee until onions are soft.
  • Add garlic and sautee another 1-2 minutes until fragrant then pour in 1 jar of marinara sauce, 1/4 cup water and 1 tsp sugar. Cover and simmer over low heat 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook 12 oz of spaghetti in salted water to desired doneness according to package instructions then drain. Serve sauce with cooked pasta.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 17 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 38 mg, Sodium 777 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE



Italian Meat Sauce image

The most delicious Italian Meat Sauce that's so incredible, it can be eaten right out of the pan. Use it on top of your favorite pasta, in lasagna, or spaghetti squash or zoodles. It's thick, rich, flavorful and it's made from scratch. You're gonna love this meat sauce.

Provided by Natalie Gregory

Categories     Sauce

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large sweet onion (diced)
2 pounds at least 85% lean ground beef or 1 pound each of ground beef and ground veal
4 - 6 cloves garlic (minced)
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus more to taste)
1 teaspoon pepper (plus more to taste)
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can ground peeled tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil (or it can be torn)
2 teaspoons sugar

Steps:

  • In a large heavy bottomed pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent. This should take 5 - 8 minutes. The longer you cook the onions, the sweeter they become.
  • Add garlic and cook just until fragrant.
  • Add the beef and veal (if using) and cook until it's browned. I use lean meat which means there's little fat left in the pan. I don't bother draining it. If you find a lot of fat you can remove it using a turkey baster or skim it off the top later. Don't mistake water for fat. I've found lesser grades of meat release more liquid than say Angus. If that's the case, cook and stir a few minutes and it will evaporate.
  • Sprinkle in the granulated garlic, salt and pepper and stir.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it loses its bright red color.
  • Add the ground peeled tomatoes and the tomato puree, sugar and basil.
  • Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened about 1 hour. Taste and adjust for more salt and pepper.

CLASSIC ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE



Classic Italian Meat Sauce image

If you are a meat sauce family (my family is a serious meat sauce family), then a pot of this in the fridge, or a container of this in the freezer is just pure peace of mind.

Provided by Katie Workman

Categories     Main Course

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
1 pound ground beef
1 pound fresh pork sausage (squeezed from the casing)
1 ½ cups chopped onion
2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Big glug or two of red or white wine (if you have a bottle open )
2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes (preferably in puree)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large saucepot, heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add both the ground beef and the sausage together and cook, stirring frequently, and breaking up the meat so that it's very crumbly and browned throughout, about 4 to 6 minutes. Turn it into a strainer and let it the fat drain off.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pot over medium heat (don't clean it! All those little bits of flavor from the meat will season the sauce). Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and basil and cook, stirring for 2 more minutes, until you can smell the garlic and herbs. Add the wine, if using, and stir for one more minute, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom, until the wine pretty much evaporates.
  • Add the canned tomatoes and red pepper flakes if using, and stir to combine everything. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Add the browned meat, lower the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Taste, and season gently with the salt and pepper (the sausages provide a whole lot of seasoning).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 341 kcal, Carbohydrate 14 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Sodium 531 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving

OLD ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE



Old Italian Meat Sauce image

A robust hearty Italian meat and mushroom pasta sauce. Serve with your favorite pasta, if desired.

Provided by Debbie

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Meat Sauce

Time 4h30m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 cups red wine
2 pounds fresh mushrooms, sliced
¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
4 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
¼ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
3 (29 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown beef and pork over medium heat until no longer pink; set aside.
  • In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and saute onions and garlic until tender; add about 1/2 cup of wine; mix well.
  • Add mushrooms, rosemary, oregano and thyme to skillet and add another 1/2 cup wine; saute until tender.
  • Add browned meat, tomato sauce and tomato paste to mixture; simmer for 1 hour and add the remaining 2 cups of wine.
  • Simmer sauce on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally; serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.9 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 50.8 mg, Fat 16.8 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 15.2 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 788.1 mg, Sugar 11.4 g

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE I



Italian Meat Sauce I image

Hearty sauce with sausage, pork and meatballs. It takes a while, but it's well worth it.

Provided by SHELLIE1111

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 5h45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, sliced
3 (15 ounce) cans seasoned tomato sauce
3 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
6 cups water
8 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 pounds sweet Italian sausage
2 pounds ground sirloin
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 cup grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound pork meat, cubed
1 cup dry bread crumbs
3 tablespoons garlic powder
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs

Steps:

  • In large pot heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over low heat. Add chopped onion and two-thirds of sliced garlic. Saute 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water and tomato paste. Simmer.
  • Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Saute remaining garlic 1 to 2 minutes. Add sausage and brown, about three minutes on each side. After browning, cover and reduce heat. Cook for 10 minutes, remove from heat, and cut sausages into halves. Add to tomato mixture.
  • Cook pork over medium heat in sausage skillet until brown. Add to tomato mixture. Add 3 tablespoons parsley, Romano, oregano, salt and pepper to tomato sauce. Continue to simmer over low heat.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. In large bowl combine ground sirloin, bread crumbs, garlic powder, remaining parsley, parmesan and eggs. Form 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Cook until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Add meatballs to sauce. Continue to cook sauce for 5 hours. Serve over fusilli or ravioli.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 660.6 calories, Carbohydrate 46.4 g, Cholesterol 133.7 mg, Fat 35.5 g, Fiber 8.1 g, Protein 41.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.4 g, Sodium 2541.6 mg, Sugar 26.2 g

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE



Italian Meat Sauce image

This robust home-style pasta sauce from Candi Johnsen of West Plains, Missouri tastes just as good after it's been frozen.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage links, cut into 3/4-inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives, optional
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1 bay leaf
Hot cooked spaghetti

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, mushrooms, olives if desired and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes or until sauce reaches desired thickness. , Discard bay leaf. Serve over spaghetti; or cool, cover and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 234 calories, Fat 13g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 851mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of high-quality ingredients. This includes fresh, ripe tomatoes, good quality ground beef, and flavorful herbs and spices.
  • Brown the meat well. This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming dry.
  • Simmer the sauce for a long time. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Add a touch of sweetness. A small amount of sugar or honey can help to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Season the sauce to taste. This may include adding salt, pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta. Spaghetti, penne, and rigatoni are all good choices.

Conclusion:

This hearty and flavorful Italian meat sauce is the perfect addition to any pasta dish. With its rich, meaty flavor and delicious aroma, it's sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics