Hearty Italian Meat Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
This robust and flavorful sauce combines the richness of ground beef and spicy Italian sausage with the freshness of vine-ripened tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this sauce simmers slowly to develop deep flavors, making it a beloved classic. Serve it over your favorite pasta and finish with a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese for a delightful, satisfying meal. A sprinkle of fresh oregano and basil adds a garden-fresh note that elevates this dish to gourmet status.
6
Servings
417
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh tomatoes
4 lbs (chopped & peeled)
medium onions
2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (chopped)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
olive oil
1/4 cup
salt
1 teaspoon
fresh parsley
4 sprigs
sugar
1 tablespoon
grated parmesan cheese
to taste
fresh oregano
2 tablespoons
hot Italian sausage
1 lb
ground beef
1 lb
Instructions
1
In a large iron skillet or heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chopped onions and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then, add the garlic, fresh oregano, and chopped basil, stirring for an additional minute until fragrant.
3
Stir in the chopped and peeled fresh tomatoes, salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to cook, uncovered, for about 2 hours, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until it thickens beautifully.
4
While the sauce simmers, brown the hot Italian sausage and ground beef in a separate pan over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat.
5
After the sauce has thickened, remove the parsley sprigs and stir in the browned meat. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit of tomato sauce to reach your desired consistency.
6
Serve this hearty sauce over cooked spaghetti or your choice of Italian pasta, and top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
25g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Hearty Italian Meat Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes.
What types of meat are used in this sauce?
The sauce uses a combination of one pound of ground beef and one pound of hot Italian sausage.
How many tomatoes are required for the recipe?
You will need 4 lbs of fresh tomatoes.
How should the fresh tomatoes be prepared?
The tomatoes should be chopped and peeled before being added to the sauce.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for about 2 hours to develop deep flavors and thicken.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the nutritional values per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 417 calories, 25g of fat, 25g of carbohydrates, and 25g of protein.
How many onions are used in the recipe?
Two medium chopped onions are used.
What kind of oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of olive oil.
Which fresh herbs are included in the ingredients?
The recipe uses fresh basil, fresh oregano, and fresh parsley sprigs.
Is there any sugar in this meat sauce?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of sugar is added to help balance the acidity of the fresh tomatoes.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 4 chopped garlic cloves.
Should the meat be cooked with the sauce or separately?
The meat should be browned in a separate pan, drained of excess fat, and then stirred into the thickened sauce at the end.
What should I do if the sauce becomes too thick?
If the sauce is too thick after simmering, you can add a bit of tomato sauce to reach your desired consistency.
What happens to the parsley sprigs used in the recipe?
The parsley sprigs should be removed from the sauce once it has thickened and before you add the browned meat.
What type of pan is recommended for cooking the sauce?
A large iron skillet or a heavy saucepan is recommended.
How long do I sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
What is the recommended pasta to serve with this sauce?
The recipe suggests serving it over cooked spaghetti or your choice of Italian pasta.
What cheese is used for garnish?
Grated Parmesan cheese is used to top each serving.
How much fresh oregano is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano.
How much fresh basil is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil.
What is the total count of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total.
Does the recipe call for hot or mild sausage?
It specifically calls for hot Italian sausage.
What is the primary vegetable base for this sauce?
Fresh vine-ripened tomatoes serve as the primary base.
When do I add the herbs and garlic?
Add the garlic, oregano, and basil after the onions have sautéed for 5 minutes, then stir for one additional minute.
How much salt is used?
One teaspoon of salt is included in the recipe.
Is the sauce cooked covered or uncovered?
The sauce is cooked uncovered to allow it to thicken beautifully.
What is the initial step of the cooking process?
The process begins by heating olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
What kind of flavor profile does this sauce have?
It is described as robust and flavorful, combining spicy sausage, richness from beef, and garden-fresh notes from herbs.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta sauce, italian cuisine, meat sauce, fresh tomatoes, comfort food, quick dinner, spaghetti, and homemade sauce.