Homemade Meat Sauce Recipe {Easy & Flavorful}

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This easy homemade meat sauce is incredibly flavorful, yet surprisingly easy to prepare! It tastes just like an Italian meat sauce that you’d order with pasta at a restaurant. However, all of the ingredients are very basic. My version uses both ground beef and Italian sausage. The key to an amazing sauce recipe is to let it simmer on the stove top for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to truly mingle.

Just recently, I was having a conversation with a friend about Italian restaurants in DC. I don’t actually like most of them, even the ones that are considered “the best of the best.” I tend to think of these places as simply the most expensive of the expensive.

Also, there are usually too many flavors jumbled together.When it comes to Italian food, I love the basics. Give me bolognese, lasagna,linguine with clams, pizza, a flavorful meat sauce, a solid caesar salad, and killer garlic bread.

Now, I’m not saying that this meat sauce recipe is going to instantly read as “authentic Italian meat sauce.” No, I can’t claim that for one second. The dried herbs and brown sugar seem like ingredients that might cause someone’s Italian grandmother to yell at me.

However, I can tell you one thing for certain: this meat sauce recipe is addictive. It’s rich, bursting with flavor, and surprisingly easy to make. You want to let it simmer for at least an hour, but that’s inactive time.

Recipe Ingredients

Ground beef
Mild or spicy Italian sausage
Extra virgin olive oil
Yellow onion
Garlic
Tomato paste
Crushed tomatoes
Diced tomatoes
Dried basil and oregano
Light brown sugar
Kosher salt and black pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

How to Make Meat Sauce

This Italian meat sauce recipe is incredibly easy to make. First, brown the sausage and ground beef in large Dutch oven. Drain through a colander and set aside.

Wipe down the pot to remove any excess fat, then cook the onion and garlic in a little olive oil until softened.

Add the meat back to the pan, along with the tomatoes and tomato paste, oregano, basil, and light brown sugar. Let the meat sauce simmer for at least an hour to give the flavors time to come together.

Taste the homemade meat sauce and add salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes as needed.

Can This Sauce Be Frozen?

Yes! I do think all the time. You can use either an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Use within 3 months for best results. When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen spaghetti meat sauce, place it in the refrigerator and let it thaw.

Recipe Tips

Use good quality Italian sausage. If your grocery store has a meat counter, see if they sell sausage prepared in-house, as opposed to purchasing a national brand. It can make a big difference in the flavor! Avoid using low fat chicken sausages; go for pork or beef.
After browning the meat, drain the fat thoroughly. There will be plenty of flavor from the fat infused into the meat itself, and the sauce will also have fat from olive oil. I place a round colander over a large bowl to drain the fat while I cook the vegetables. Don’t let the fat run down your drain! It will clog your pipes.
I personally prefer using spicy Italian sausage over mild. The spice level typically isn’t too intense, but it adds an extra something special.
Any brand of canned tomatoes will work, but I’m especially partial to San Marzano canned tomatoes, if you can find them.

How to Chop an Onion

This recipe calls for chopped onions. Check out my fast and easy technique for how to chop an onion with step-by-step photos!

Looking for More Sauce Recipes?

Be sure to check out my All-Purpose Tomato Sauce,Teriyaki Sauce,, Spicy Chimichurri Sauce, and Spicy Peanut Sauce.

Looking for More Easy Italian Recipes?

If you loved this meat sauce recipe, you’ll also enjoy my Penne alla Vodka, Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta, Spaghetti with Anchovies and Garlic, and Cacio e Pepe.

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