Italian Meat Sauce

Nothing quite captures the essence of home cooking more than a warm bowl of comforting Italian meat sauce.

Why We Love This Recipe

We love the unmistakable aroma of a pot of hearty meat sauce simmering on the stovetop. It transforms us to Italy with every bite—comfort food at its finest.

You can whip this up any night of the week with everyday ingredients and it’s ready in less than an hour.

Serve it will thick pappardelle pasta or any pasta you have in the pantry.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• ½ lb. sweet Italian sausage
• ½ small onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks including leaves
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 17.6 oz. carton or can of tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tea sugar
• ½ tea garlic powder
• ½ tea fennel seeds
• ¼ tea pepper flakes
• 1 small parmesan cheese rind or 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan

Let’s Make Italian Meat Sauce

1. Cut celery and carrots into large pieces. Add them to a food processor and pulse on high until finely chopped.
2. In a large stock pot, heat olive oil on medium-high heat. Add chopped vegetable mixture and cook for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste, ground beef, and Italian sausage. Cook until meat is browned.
4. Add tomato sauce, all spices, and parmesan.
5. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
6. Simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes.
7. Serve on your favorite pasta.

Krazy Kitchen Mom Tops

• To freeze the leftover sauce, allow it to cool completely, add it to a large zip-top bag and freeze it for up to 4 months.
• This sauce can also be made a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Parmesan rind – I save parmesan rinds and store them in my freezer. They add an amazingly rich flavor to pasta sauce, soups, and stews.

More KKM Pasta Recipes

• American Goulash
• Greek Orzo Chicken Salad
• Cheesy Baked Ziti
• Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta