Hearty Italian Meat Sauce Recipe: A Soul-Warming Kitchen Win

Simmering with rich flavors and generations of culinary tradition, this hearty Italian meat sauce recipe brings the warmth of Naples right to your kitchen.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this robust blend of tender ground beef, fragrant herbs, and slow-cooked tomatoes.

Each spoonful tells a story of comfort and passion that transcends simple cooking.

The sauce dances with deep, complex notes that awaken every taste bud.

Crushed tomatoes mingle with aromatic garlic and herbs, creating a symphony of flavor that promises pure satisfaction.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings become extraordinary with this classic sauce draping your favorite pasta.

Dive into this soul-warming recipe and transform an ordinary meal into an unforgettable Italian feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredient Lineup for Italian Meat Sauce

• Red Onion: Adds sweet, depth-building foundation to the sauce's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent undertone that enhances meat's richness.

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Creates hearty, complex meat texture with balanced fat content for deep, satisfying flavor.

• Parsley: Introduces fresh, bright note to balance rich meat flavors.
• Oregano: Offers classic Italian herbaceous character with earthy undertones.
• Basil: Contributes sweet, peppery essence typical in Mediterranean cooking.
• Marjoram: Brings subtle, delicate herb complexity.
• Nutmeg: Adds warm, slightly sweet background note.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for layering and intensifying overall taste experience.

• Tomato Sauce: Provides smooth, concentrated tomato base.
• Tomato Paste: Deepens color and amplifies tomato intensity.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Adds rustic texture and fresh tomato brightness.
• Chicken Broth: Creates silky consistency and enhances savory undertones.
• Chianti or Red Wine: Introduces rich, acidic complexity and depth.

What Tools to Use for Italian Meat Sauce

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking and simmering the meat sauce.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for chopping onions and mincing garlic with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing the sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients.
• Colander or Strainer: Useful for draining excess grease from the meat.
• Mixing Bowl: Helps combine the tomato sauce and other liquid ingredients.

How to Prepare Classic Italian Meat Sauce

Hearty Italian Meat Sauce

• Onion and Garlic Prep

Start by finely chopping the red onion and garlic. The more precise your chopping, the more evenly these flavors will distribute through the sauce.

• Meat Browning

Heat olive oil in a large pot and toss in the onions. Let them soften and become translucent. Add ground beef and pork, breaking them into small pieces as they cook. The goal is a rich, caramel-brown color that promises deep flavor.

• Herbal Awakening

Sprinkle in a blend of aromatic herbs – parsley, oregano, basil, and marjoram. A touch of nutmeg adds unexpected warmth. Season with salt and pepper, stirring to coat the meat with these flavor-boosting companions.

• Tomato Magic

Pour in tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and a dollop of tomato paste. A splash of brown sugar balances the acidity, while chicken broth adds complexity. Stir everything together, letting the ingredients dance and mingle.

• Slow Simmering

Allow the sauce to bubble gently, partially covered. This slow cooking develops incredible depth. After 30 minutes, introduce a splash of Chianti wine, which adds a sophisticated richness that elevates the entire dish.

• Final Touch

Taste and adjust. Maybe a pinch more salt, a grind of pepper. The sauce should feel luxurious and full-bodied. Serve over your favorite pasta, ready to transport everyone to an Italian kitchen.

Tips to Elevate Your Italian Meat Sauce

• Meat Sauce Magic: Pro Tips & Delicious Twists
• Wine Wonder: Choose a dry red wine like Chianti or Merlot to enhance the sauce's depth. Avoid sweet wines that can disrupt the savory flavor profile.
• Meat Mix Mastery: Experiment with different ground meat combinations like veal, lamb, or turkey for unique flavor variations. Each meat brings a distinctive taste to the sauce.
• Herb Harmony: Fresh herbs elevate the sauce's taste. Replace dried herbs with fresh ones by tripling the amount and chopping them finely just before adding to the pot.
• Slow Cooker Secret: Transform this recipe into a hands-off meal by transferring the browned meat and ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours for an incredibly rich, tender sauce.
• Storage Savvy: This sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a quick, delicious meal anytime.

Serving Italian Meat Sauce Like a Pro

• Pasta Paradise: Ladle this rich sauce over your favorite pasta like spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne for a classic Italian meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up every delicious drop of this hearty meat sauce, transforming your dining experience into a comforting feast.
• Layered Lasagna Delight: Transform this sauce into a mouthwatering lasagna by alternating layers with pasta sheets, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella for a decadent casserole that screams home-cooked comfort.
• Versatile Protein Topper: Spoon this robust sauce over grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or polenta for a quick and satisfying meal that brings Italian flavors to your dinner table.

Store Italian Meat Sauce for Future Meals

• Smart Batch Cooking: Double the recipe and freeze extra sauce in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners. Portion into 2-cup servings for easy future meal preparation.
• Refrigeration Magic: Store cooled sauce in sealed containers for up to 5 days. Glass containers work best to maintain rich flavor and prevent odor absorption.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Freeze sauce flat in heavy-duty freezer bags for maximum space efficiency. Label with date and contents. Frozen sauce stays delicious for 3-4 months when properly sealed.
• Flavor Boost Technique: Before reheating refrigerated or frozen sauce, let it come to room temperature. Warm slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to restore original texture and prevent burning.

Authentic Italian Meat Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty Bolognese sauce emerges as a classic Italian culinary treasure from Bologna’s rich gastronomic landscape. Simmering slowly with ground beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, this robust sauce brings genuine comfort to pasta dishes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef, lean
• 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
• 2 28-oz (794 g) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 15-oz (425 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 12-oz (340 g) can tomato paste
• ½ cup Chianti or good dry red wine
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsps minced garlic
• 4 tsps dried parsley
• 4 tsps dried oregano
• 2 tsps dried basil
• 2 tsps dried marjoram
• 2 dashes ground nutmeg
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot and gently cook red onions until translucent. Add ground beef and pork, breaking into fine crumbles and browning evenly.
2. Herbal Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, parsley, oregano, basil, marjoram, and a delicate hint of nutmeg. Season generously with salt and pepper, allowing herbs to release their aromatic essence.
3. Liquid Symphony: Whisk together tomato sauce, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, and chicken broth. Pour this vibrant mixture into the meat, stirring to create a harmonious blend.
4. Flavor Development: Reduce heat and partially cover the pot, allowing the sauce to simmer gently. Stir periodically to prevent scorching and encourage flavor melding. After 30 minutes, introduce Chianti to elevate the sauce’s depth and complexity.
5. Final Refinement: Continue simmering for an additional 10-15 minutes, reducing liquid and allowing flavors to unite perfectly. Adjust seasoning to taste, potentially adding more salt, pepper, or sugar to achieve a balanced profile. If the sauce appears too dense, carefully thin with chicken broth until reaching an ideal consistency.

Notes

• Dice with Precision: Finely chop onions and garlic to ensure even cooking and seamless flavor distribution throughout the sauce.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Cook ground beef and pork until deeply caramelized, breaking into small crumbles to maximize flavor and texture.
• Layer Herb Complexity: Add herbs gradually to release maximum aromatic potential, creating a rich, multi-dimensional flavor profile.
• Simmer Strategically: Allow sauce to develop depth by maintaining low, gentle heat and occasional stirring, preventing burning while intensifying taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg