Go Back
+ servings
plate of spaghetti and meat sauce with a fork

Italian Meat Sauce

Homemade Italian Meat Sauce is perfect for everyone’s favorite pasta night dinner. Rich, hearty, and full of flavor, everyone will be asking you for this recipe!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin
Course: Kitchen Basics
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced small - roughly 2 cups
  • 2 bay leaves I used 2 large ones but 4 if you have small ones
  • 3 oz tomato paste
  • 4 cloves garlic minced fine roughly 1 tablespoon
  • 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • In a large pan on the stove top, add olive oil, onion, and ground beef.
  • Using a spoon, break up ground beef.
  • Cook over medium heat until the beef is cooked through and the onion is tender. (drain if desired)
  • Add the garlic, bay leaves, italian seasoning, and tomato paste.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes and water.
  • Bring to a low boil.
  • Remove from heat and place in a preheated oven, uncovered.
  • Bake for 1 hour stirring a few times while baking.
  • Sauce should be bubbly and reduced in volume slightly.
  • Remove and let cool.
  • Serve immediately over your favorite pasta or spaghetti squash.
  • Garnish with parsley and grated cheese.

Video

Notes

  • This sauce is a great opportunity to sneak in some vegetables. A little carrot and celery when you are sweating the onions is ok. Some green pepper is great too!
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes while adding the spices gives the sauce a little kick.
  • Use stewed or fire roasted diced tomatoes instead of the crushed one for a different flavor twist.
  • Serve with pasta cooked al dente in salted water for the best flavor and texture.
  • Use this in this baked chicken spaghetti and serve it with a side of Italian green beans!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 201mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g