Name: Versatile Pasta Meat Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 36 Servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 tablespoon Light Olive Oil; I large White Onion, diced small; 6 to 10 Garlic Cloves, minced finely; 3 pounds Ground Beef; 3 Pounds Italian Sausage; 3 12 ounces cans Tomato Paste; 2 28 ounce cans Crushed Tomatoes; 2 28 ounce cans Tomato Sauce; 3/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, optional; 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar; 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 2 teaspoons Fennel Seeds; 1/2 cup fresh Parsley Leaves, chopped; 1/2 cup fresh Basil Leaves, cut into strips

This versatile pasta meat sauce is perfect for spaghetti, lasagna, eggplant parm, and even for simmering meatballs in for meatball subs.

Spaghetti and meatballs on white plate with salad and a glass of wine

Spring officially started at my house a month or so ago.

It had nothing to do with the date, the slew of singing birds in the area, the baby bunnies the dog loves to chase, or the budding trees.

Spring at my house gets started with the first potted fresh herbs sitting on the patio table.

Unfortunately, they had to spend their first night in their new home hiding under the patio table since we had tornadoes in the area.

Tornadoes are more of a spectator sport here in Oklahoma, but tender young plants don’t do so well in gusty winds, heavy rain, and hail.

It has been chillier than normal this spring and none of the herbs have done so well anyway.

Fresh basil and parsley are key ingredients for my lasagna and spaghetti sauce.

At this point, it will be weeks (maybe months) before I can harvest enough of both for a huge pot of sauce.

I like to keep a healthy supply of sauce (and other things) in the freezer for quick meals on busy nights. It helps break up the monotony of sandwiches.

Until I can harvest from the back porch, I just buy fresh basil and parsley from the store. It does not taste as good as what we grow in pots, but it is better than the dried stuff.

*Update – I have been using dried basil when the store’s basil has an astronomical price tag or does not look very healthy. Use about 2 to 3 tablespoons of dried basil and give it a good firm rub between your hands before adding.

Do stick with the fresh parsley though, it is usually reasonably priced and it adds a bit of freshness to your sauce, even with dried basil.

I have a couple of recipes for spaghetti sauce, but this one is the current favorite at our house. This recipe was inspired by the sauce in this lasagna recipe.

Eventually, I will post a recipe for my mom’s meat sauce, and another from a long-lost friend’s mom who was from Italy. He also showed me how to make Aglio Olio the way his mom did and that was the base for my recipe.

This pasta sauce recipe makes a lot of sauce. I make large batches since it freezes so well and can be used for so many things.

Browning your tomato paste before adding to your sauce will add a nice depth of flavor to your pasta sauce.

Not just this sauce, any spaghetti sauce or chili recipe that uses tomato paste will benefit from this step.

Try serving this sauce over spaghetti with a salad and some fresh Italian bread for a filling meal.

While you have fresh herbs in your hands, try adding a side of herbed oil for dipping the fresh bread in. Tastier than butter and likely to impress your dinner guests too!

Versatile Pasta Meat Sauce

Sweet, red pasta sauce that is great for spaghetti, eggplant Parmesan, or lasagna. We even cook meatballs for subs in it.

Author: Beth Mueller
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 36 Servings
Category: Main Dish
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

3 tablespoon Light Olive Oil
I large White Onion, diced small
6 to 10 Garlic Cloves, minced finely
3 pounds Ground Beef
3 Pounds Italian Sausage
3 12 ounces cans Tomato Paste
2 28 ounce cans Crushed Tomatoes
2 28 ounce cans Tomato Sauce
3/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, optional
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
2 teaspoons Fennel Seeds
1/2 cup fresh Parsley Leaves, chopped
1/2 cup fresh Basil Leaves, cut into strips

Instructions

In a dutch oven or very large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and sauted for a few minutes.
In a separate skillet, brown hamburger and sausage. Drain excess liquid/fat. Place meat into pot with onions and garlic.
Add tomato paste to pot. Mix to distribute.
Add tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Mix well. Turn heat to medium, add pepper, sugar, Italian seasoning, and fennel seeds. Stir frequently. Once sauce starts to simmer, reduce heat to low. Add fresh basil and parsley.
Continue to simmer for 1 to 2 hours, continue stirring frequently.
Serve over hot pasta of your choice.
Leftovers freeze well.