Spaghetti Meat Sauce
A rich and flavorful homemade spaghetti meat sauce made with pantry staples that brings the family together for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Meat Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef You can choose lean or fatty ground beef, such as 80/20 or 85/15.
- 1 lb Italian Sausage Optional, for additional flavor complexity.
Tomato Ingredients
- 28 oz Canned Crushed Tomatoes You can also use fresh, peeled, and crushed tomatoes.
Vegetables
- 1 medium Onion, diced Adds flavor; use a medium dice for even cooking.
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced Can adjust the amount according to personal taste.
- 1 medium Carrot, diced Optional, for added sweetness.
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tsp Dried Basil Can substitute with fresh basil if available.
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano Adjust to taste.
- 1 bay leaf Bay Leaf Remove before serving.
- Salt and Pepper to taste Salt and Pepper Important for balancing flavors.
Others
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil For sautéing vegetables.
- 1 tbsp Sugar Optional, to cut acidity.
Instructions
Preparation
- Dice the onion and carrot, and mince the garlic.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Cooking
- Sauté the onions and garlic until soft and clear, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and sausage to the pot, breaking it apart, and brown for about 7-10 minutes.
- Stir in the diced carrots and season with salt and pepper.
- Add the canned crushed tomatoes and stir well. If using, add sugar to balance the acidity.
- Add the dried herbs (basil, oregano) and the bay leaf, stirring to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finalizing the Sauce
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more herbs or salt to taste.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
Notes
Serve with your choice of pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.