Man Made Meat Sauce

Rich, hearty, and packed with bold flavors, "Man Made Meat Sauce" is the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe for pasta night. This robust sauce combines seasoned ground beef and savory Italian sausage, sautéed with aromatic garlic and onions for a flavor-packed base. Simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and a splash of red wine, it’s elevated with key Italian seasonings like basil and oregano, plus a subtle hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes. The result is a thick and comforting tomato-based sauce that clings beautifully to pasta, making it ideal for spaghetti, penne, or even lasagna. Topped with freshly chopped basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this homemade meat sauce is perfect for feeding a family or impressing dinner guests with authentic Italian-inspired flair. Ready in just over an hour, it’s the perfect balance of convenience and homemade goodness!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 0.5 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-9 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 6

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and red wine (if using), stirring to combine.

Step 7

Season the sauce with dried basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if desired), sugar, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and allow the sauce to simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or sugar to balance flavors.

Step 10

Remove from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil.

Step 11

Serve hot over your favorite pasta or dish, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2133 grams (2133.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2736

Total Fat 199.10g	255%
Saturated Fat 72.90g	365%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 509mg	170%
Sodium 7178mg	312%
Total Carbohydrate 86.70g	32%
Dietary Fiber 18.70g	67%
Total Sugars 45.20g
Protein 148.80g	298%

Vitamin D 24IU	119%
Calcium 973mg	75%
Iron 19mg	103%
Potassium 4161mg	89%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.5%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 12.7%