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Italian Meat Sauce

Italian Meat Sauce
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This classic Italian Meat Sauce blends savory ground beef and pork with crushed tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of red wine to create a rich and hearty sauce perfect for pasta, lasagna, or baked ziti. Slow-simmered to develop deep flavors, this versatile and family-friendly sauce is a comforting staple that improves with time and is ideal for meal prep or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Meats

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Base

  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Liquids and Fats

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the onion and mince the garlic finely. Measure out your dried herbs and have the ground meats ready for cooking.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and pork and cook until browned, breaking up any clumps. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness. Browning the meat thoroughly develops deeper flavors.
  3. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the pan with the browned meat and cook until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Incorporate Tomatoes and Paste: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring well to combine with the meat and vegetables, forming a rich tomato base.
  5. Add Wine and Herbs: If using, pour in the red wine and let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol. Add dried oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute flavors.
  6. Simmer Slowly: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer melds all flavors and thickens the sauce perfectly.

Notes

  • Brown meat thoroughly to caramelize and deepen flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce slowly to develop complex flavors.
  • Use high-quality canned tomatoes, like San Marzano, for best results.
  • Season gradually with salt and pepper to avoid overseasoning.
  • Let the sauce rest for an hour or overnight to enhance richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian meat sauce, Bolognese, pasta sauce, homemade meat sauce, authentic Italian sauce, rich tomato sauce, meat ragu

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/italian-meat-sauce/