Perfect Italian Meat Sauce Recipe
This Perfect Italian Meat Sauce recipe is a classic, rich, and flavorful tomato-based sauce made with lean ground beef, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a hint of spice. It’s ideal for pairing with your favorite pasta to create a comforting and authentic Italian meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb Ground beef (85% lean)
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced very fine
- 2 cloves garlic, diced very fine
Tomato and Seasonings
- 28 ounces San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 fresh basil leaves
- ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- Pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Oils
- 1 ½ tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Heat Pan and Sauté Onions: Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add 1 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add the red pepper flakes, diced onion, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Set Onions Aside: Remove the cooked onions from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In the same pan, add the ground beef and brown it evenly on all sides, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it cooks. This should take approximately 5 minutes.
- Combine Onions with Meat: Return the sautéed onions to the pan and mix them thoroughly with the browned beef.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the finely diced garlic and cook for an additional one minute to release its fragrance.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour the crushed San Marzano tomatoes into the pan. Add the kosher salt, dried oregano, and fresh basil leaves. Stir everything to combine.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the sauce and add more salt if necessary, and optionally add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic. Serve hot with your choice of pasta and enjoy!
Notes
- Use 85% lean ground beef for a good balance of flavor and fat.
- San Marzano tomatoes are recommended for their sweet and rich flavor, but canned whole tomatoes can be used as a substitute.
- Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat; adjust the amount according to taste.
- A pinch of sugar can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes if needed.
- Simmering uncovered allows the sauce to thicken naturally.
Keywords: Italian meat sauce, homemade meat sauce, pasta sauce, San Marzano tomato sauce, classic Italian recipe
Find it online: https://heutigemahlzeiten.com/perfect-italian-meat-sauce-recipe/
