How to Make Meat Sauce (With Video and Step by Step)

Yield:

5 cups

Our basic meat sauce recipe will be your go-to for serving with pasta or using in lasagna. It uses a few simple ingredients: ground beef, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, and olive oil. It's simple to make and is ready in a little over an hour—plus, it simmers without needing a lot of stirring. Make it a day ahead because the flavors only get better. You can double the recipe and make a big batch, then freeze portions so you can pull them out whenever you need a quick dinner.

Meat Sauce vs. Spaghetti Sauce vs. Sunday Gravy vs. Bolognese

There are endless variations on a meat-based sauce with Italian origins. We don’t claim this is an authentic sauce, rather it’s an easy sauce you’ll make when you’re pressed for time. The more traditional sauces like Bolognese use two or three types of ground meat and cook slowly on the stovetop. They are also not as tomato-based as more American takes like spaghetti sauce or the tomato ragu with braised beef or spicy sausage that is the "Sunday gravy" of many Italian-American cooks. Like all of the sauces mentioned here, it varies depending on the cook.

Ways to Use Meat Sauce

Use this meat sauce anywhere you need a beefy punch:

It’s a great option for lasagna or other baked pasta
Use it with pasta, perhaps with sautéed vegetables or a salad
Serve it over polenta and sautéed vegetables

Directions

raw beef and bowls of ingredients on a marble surface — Rachel Marek

Cook onion and garlic:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.

Rachel Marek
Add beef and cook:

Add beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.

Rachel Marek

Rachel Marek
Add tomato paste and cook:

Add tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes.

Rachel Marek
Add tomatoes and simmer:

Add tomatoes and juice, breaking up tomatoes. Simmer over medium heat until thickened and saucy, 45 to 60 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Rachel Marek

Storage

To store this basic meat sauce, let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags. Meat sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Freezing

This sauce freezes well. We suggest dividing the sauce into smaller portions to freeze because you can always defrost two containers should you need more sauce. Freeze the sauce for up to three months; it will last much longer than that, but the quality may deteriorate after that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I add to meat sauce for more flavor?

There are many ways to add more flavor to meat sauce. You can stir in sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms, add chopped fresh herbs such as basil or parsley just before serving, or add something acidic to brighten the sauce, this could be a small amount of good-quality wine, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice.
What is the best pasta for meat sauce?

The best pasta for meat sauce is the one you already have in your pantry! Several types of pasta pair well with meat sauce. Long flat noodles like fettuccine or tagliatelle are good. Any type of curly pasta works because the flutes or curls will hold onto the sauce—think farfalle, fusili, or radiatore. Ridged pasta like penne rigate also works well.