Savory Family-Style Beef Sauce
Prepare to elevate your mealtime with this Savory Family-Style Beef Sauce, a hearty and versatile base that packs a punch of flavor. This big batch recipe is perfect for busy families and meal prep enthusiasts, allowing you to create delicious dishes like Time-Saving Tacos, Speedy Spaghetti, and Oven-Ready Lasagna with ease. With its rich blend of ground beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, this sauce not only saves you time in the kitchen but also freezes beautifully, ensuring there's always a delicious meal ready to go. Simply prepare, cool, and stash it away for those busy weeknights when you need a flavorful and satisfying meal in a flash.
N/A
Servings
280
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
4 lbs (fresh)
onions
4 medium (chopped)
celery
5 ribs (thinly sliced)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
diced tomatoes
3 (28 ounce) cans (undrained)
tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans (none)
sliced mushrooms
2 (4 1/2 ounce) jars (drained)
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (minced)
salt
1 tablespoon (none)
dried oregano
2 teaspoons (none)
dried basil
2 teaspoons (none)
pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ground beef, chopped onions, sliced celery, and minced garlic.
2
Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3
Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, drained sliced mushrooms, minced fresh parsley, salt, oregano, basil, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pot.
4
Stir well to combine all ingredients. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6
Allow the beef sauce to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe bags or containers, portioning about 2 cups in each.
7
Label and date the bags or containers, and freeze for up to 3 months for quick and easy meals.
Nutrition Information
21.6g
Fat
12g
Carbs
18.7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Family-Style Beef Sauce?
It is a hearty and versatile beef-based sauce perfect for meal prep, featuring ground beef, vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
How much ground beef is required for this recipe?
You will need 4 pounds of fresh ground beef.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes 4 medium onions, 5 ribs of celery, 4 garlic cloves, and 2 jars of sliced mushrooms.
How should I prepare the onions and celery?
The onions should be chopped and the celery should be thinly sliced.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should use 3 (28 ounce) cans of undrained diced tomatoes.
What size tomato paste cans should I buy?
The recipe calls for 2 (6 ounce) cans of tomato paste.
Are the mushrooms fresh or canned?
The recipe uses 2 (4 1/2 ounce) jars of drained sliced mushrooms.
What fresh herbs are used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of minced fresh parsley.
Which dried spices provide the flavor?
The sauce is seasoned with salt, dried oregano, dried basil, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Is this beef sauce spicy?
It contains 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, which adds a mild kick of heat.
How long does it take to brown the meat and vegetables?
It takes approximately 8-10 minutes over medium heat.
Should I drain the fat after browning the beef?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat after the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
No, the sauce should be simmered uncovered.
How often should I stir the sauce during the simmering process?
You should stir it occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
How should I cool the sauce for storage?
Allow the beef sauce to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
What is the recommended portion size for freezing?
It is recommended to portion about 2 cups of sauce into each freezer-safe bag or container.
How long can the beef sauce be stored in the freezer?
The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
What are some meal ideas for this sauce?
You can use this sauce for Time-Saving Tacos, Speedy Spaghetti, or Oven-Ready Lasagna.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 280 calories.
What is the protein content of the sauce?
There are 18.7g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in a serving of this sauce?
A serving contains 21.6g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count for this recipe?
There are 12g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much salt is in the entire batch?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of salt.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 4 minced garlic cloves.
How much dried oregano and basil is needed?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried oregano and 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
Can I use this sauce for taco night?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a great base for taco night.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is a big batch recipe designed for freezing and quick weeknight meals.
What kind of pot is best for cooking this sauce?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for this recipe.
Why should I label the freezer containers?
Labeling and dating ensures you use the sauce within its 3-month shelf life for best quality.