Description
A rich and savory homemade beef pasta sauce, packed with tender ground beef, aromatic garlic, onions, and a blend of herbs that come together to create the perfect topping for your favorite pasta.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1/2 cup beef broth or water
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 3-4 minutes until onion becomes translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Let it brown and cook through for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth (or water).
- Add dried oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar (if using). Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over pasta.
Notes
For a spicier sauce, add extra red pepper flakes or fresh chili peppers.
For a vegetarian version, swap the ground beef for mushrooms or lentils.
For a richer sauce, stir in heavy cream or milk towards the end of cooking.
Experiment with herbs like thyme or rosemary for a unique twist.
Store the sauce in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
