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I can’t wait to show you how to make this rich and flavorful Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce recipe right in your kitchen. It’s fast and easy, and it’s much healthier than buying sauce from a jar or can.
It takes only a few minutes to prepare this hearty Spaghetti Meat Sauce recipe. Then you can let it simmer while your kitchen fills with the aroma of fresh garlic, onion, and basil. The addition of balsamic vinegar gives it a richness that will make this Meat Sauce recipe a new family favorite!
Want to make it a full meal? Serve it over spaghetti or another favorite pasta and alongside some Green Beans and Tomato Salad or this delicious Parmesan Zucchini Corn Salad.
Recipe Overview
Before you get started
Here is what you need to know to make the perfect homemade meat sauce.
→ If you want to use ground turkey or chicken, you can. The classic calls for ground beef.
→ I like to use a combination of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Or I use crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes. You can mix it up.
→ Try to use fresh garlic. Makes a huge difference.
→ Don’t skip the balsamic vinegar.
Ingredients you’ll need
Below is a list of ingredients you will need to make this meat sauce. Full measurements are listed further down in the recipe card.
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil can also be used to make it.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Try to use this if you can. If you don’t have any other hand, other vinegars will work like grape or red wine vinegar.
- Ground Beef: Use really lean ground beef if you can.
- Yellow Onion, or white sweet onions, will work.
- Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. Unless you are in a pinch, try to use fresh garlic.
- Dried Basil, or if you have fresh basil, even better
- Crushed Tomatoes and canned Chopped Tomatoes/tomato sauce.
- Salt and Pepper
How to make spaghetti meat sauce
Below is a step-by-step process of how I made the meat sauce.
1️⃣ Prepare the onion and garlic
Start by finely chopping the onion and pressing the garlic.
✏️ The smaller you dice the onion, the better. You can use white sweet onions or cooking onions.
2️⃣ Sear the onion and garlic
Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil and heat until shimmering. Add in garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add onion and cook until translucent.
✏️ Careful not to burn the garlic. It will change the taste. Do not try to rush it and put the heat on high.
3️⃣ Cook the ground beef
Once the onion and garlic get soft and cooked through, immediately add ground beef and mix well, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until it is in small crumbles. Cook until the meat is brown and no longer pink. At this point, you can drain the excess fat if desired.
4️⃣ Add the tomato sauce
Add crushed tomatoes and tomato puree. You do not need to mix it just yet.
5️⃣ Add the other ingredients
Pour in vinegar and season with dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine everything.
✏️ At this point, if you want to make it spicy, you can add some crushed peppers or some cayenne pepper.
6️⃣ Cook and serve
Cover and let simmer on low for about 2 to 3 hours. Don’t forget to give the sauce a few good stirs in the meantime. Serve the homemade meat sauce with your favorite cooked pasta.
Common Questions
Yes you can. This Meat Sauce is great in the slow cooker as well. Follow the instructions until the meat is cooked and the tomatoes and other seasonings are added. Transfer sauce to the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-5 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over cooked pasta.
Yes. Meat sauce can be stored in a container or freezer zipper bag and frozen up to 4-6 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight or in the microwave on the defrost setting. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with your favorite cooked pasta.
Yes. Instead of beef, you can chop some mushrooms really small and cook them as you would the beef. Follow the same steps. You can also use tofu or plant-based “ground beef” like the Impossible ground beef.
You can just double up on the sauce, and you do not have to use crushed tomatoes if you do not have them on hand.
Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 56 ounces crushed tomatoes, 2 (28 oz cans)
- 28 ounces tomato sauce, one can, with juices
Instructions
- Start by finely chopping the 1 large yellow onion and pressing the 3 cloves garlic.
- Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat until shimmering.
- Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add onion and cook until translucent.
- Immediately add 2 pounds ground beef and mix well, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until it is in small crumbles. Cook until the meat is brown and no longer pink. At this point, you can drain the excess fat if desired.
- Add 56 ounces crushed tomatoes and 28 ounces tomato sauce. Pour 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and season with 2 tablespoons dried basil, sSalt and pepper.
- Cover and let simmer on low for about 2 to 3 hours. Don't forget to give the sauce a few stirs in the meantime. (or over medium to lose for 20 minutes )
- Serve the meat sauce with your favorite cooked pasta. This sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for 4-6 months.
Notes
- Tomatoes: Use both crushed and chopped tomatoes to add texture to the sauce.
- Garlic: We recommend using freshly chopped garlic for the best flavor, but you can also use jarred minced garlic if needed. Garlic powder does not make a good substitute since it adds bitterness to the sauce.
- Onion: Yellow onions are fantastic in this recipe, but Walla Walla or Vidalia onions make great substitutes.
- Oil: Olive oil adds great flavor to this sauce, but you can also use avocado oil or butter for keto.
- Don’t overcook the garlic. It burns easily and will give the sauce a bitter taste.
- Storing: Store in a container in the fridge for up to five days. Freeze for up to 4-6 months.
- Slow cooker instructions: Follow the instructions until the meat is cooked and the tomatoes and other seasonings are added. Transfer the sauce to the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-5 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over cooked pasta.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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- Pesto Chicken Recipe
- Low Carb Pizza
- One-Pot Chicken Spaghetti
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Can I use diced vs chopped tomatoes?
Yes you can.
If you use -1 1/2 lbs ground beef will it lessen the flavor?
it should be fine
Can you make this with ground turkey?
Hi Gaby. Yes you can
Does it have to simmer for 2-3 hours? This is on the menu tonight and didn’t realize it had to simmer that long.
Hi. you can cook it for less. leave it at medium to low heat, cover it, and a good 15 to 20 minutes is fine. Mix in between so it doesn’t burn
Whst is a serving size? 1/2 a cup, 1 cup?
I would say about 1/2 cup
Is the nutrition info per serving?
Yes. Per serving.