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Italian Meat Sauce

A rich and savory Italian Meat Sauce that combines ground beef and Italian sausage, simmered slowly for a deep, comforting flavor that pairs beautifully with pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meats
  • 1 lb Ground beef For a rich flavor.
  • 1 lb Italian sausage Adds layered flavor.
Vegetables
  • 1 medium Onion, diced For sweetness and aroma.
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced Enhances flavor.
  • 2 medium Carrots, diced Adds sweetness.
Sauce Components
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste Deepens tomato flavor.
  • 2 can Canned whole tomatoes Crushed by hand, with juices.
  • 1 cup Red wine or broth For deglazing.
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil For cooking.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste.
  • 1 tsp Black pepper To taste.
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano For seasoning.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh basil Added at the end for freshness.
  • 1 splash Milk or pat of butter To round off acidity.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a wide pot until crispy bits form on the bottom.
  2. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced carrots. Cook until soft.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and let it darken slightly before deglazing with red wine or broth.
Cooking
  1. Add the hand-crushed canned tomatoes, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and a little water.
  2. Simmer gently for at least 45-60 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  3. Taste and finish with a splash of milk and fresh basil.

Notes

This sauce improves with time and is perfect for leftovers. Ideal to pair with spaghetti, polenta, gnocchi, or even as a filling for baked potatoes.