My favorite homemade meat sauce is rich, hearty, and perfect for those working from home! 🍝🔥 It simmers low and slow, so you can have a delicious dinner ready right when your work is done. Save this for your next cozy night in!
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 8 ounces ground pork
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning (I used a mixture of basil, oregano, thyme, red hot chili flakes and ground sage)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree
- 1 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the ground beef and pork and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
3. Add the onion and garlic, then sauté until the onions are translucent, about 7–10 minutes.
4. Stir in the dried Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the red wine and simmer for about 1 minute, until mostly evaporated.
6. Reduce the heat to low, then add all the cans of tomatoes directly into the pot.
7. Stir to combine, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
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When I first tried this meat sauce recipe, I was amazed by how the combination of ground beef and pork created such a deep, savory flavor that truly set it apart from other simple pasta sauces. One tip I learned is to let it simmer low and slow—the longer it cooks, the more the flavors meld together, resulting in a velvety texture and rich taste. The use of dried Italian seasoning with basil, oregano, thyme, chili flakes, and sage adds a complexity that perfectly balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the wine’s subtle sweetness. I like to experiment by adding a splash of extra red wine during cooking to deepen the flavor even further. For busy weekdays, this sauce is a game changer because you can prepare it in advance, store it in the fridge or freeze portions, and quickly reheat for an easy meal. Pairing it with spaghetti or layering it in lasagna results in a comforting dinner that satisfies both kids and adults. Another thing worth mentioning is that using whole peeled tomatoes in addition to crushed and pureed tomatoes gives the sauce extra body and little bursts of fresh tomato flavor throughout, which I love. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it lightly before simmering. This sauce also works great beyond pasta — try spooning it over roasted vegetables or using it as a base for a homemade pizza. As someone who often juggles working from home and cooking, having a reliable, flavorful meat sauce like this makes mealtime stress-free and enjoyable. Give it a try next time you want a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas!