This homemade Pasta Meat Sauce is the ultimate from‑scratch weeknight hero—rich, hearty, and ready in about 40 minutes. It comes together easily with pantry basics and cooks down to a deeply flavorful sauce that your family will ask for again and again.
Over the years, this sauce has become my favorite freezer-friendly meal prep. I love making a double batch—one for dinner and one to stash away for future busy nights. Every bite sings with flavor thanks to sautéed mirepoix (onions, carrots, celery) and a slow simmer, making it feel special even on busy days.
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If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like my baked rigatoni or this jumbo stuffed shells recipe.
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This sauce works well as a spaghetti sauce as well as a lasagna sauce. Or it can be used with any other type of noodles. I often mix it with penne pasta, toss it in a casserole dish, top with mozzarella and bake it. It makes a fantastic baked pasta sauce!
🥣 Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground Beef – My go-to when making this easy pasta meat sauce recipe. Ground Italian Sausage is a great substitute.
- Mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery) – Builds a flavorful foundation. You can also substitute or add to other vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Garlic – Minced fresh garlic keeps it classic; garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Tomato Sauce & Diced Tomatoes – The perfect combo for texture and depth. Use crushed tomatoes if that's what you have.
- Herbs & seasonings – Dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt & pepper keep it simple. Or you can substitute with your favorite Italian Herb seasoning.
🍝 How To Make Pasta Meat Sauce
This sauce is totally from-scratch comfort in one pot—minimal fuss, maximum flavor.
STEP 1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Drain excess grease and set the meat aside.
STEP 2
Add olive oil to the same pan. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery (mirepoix) for about 8 minutes, until softened.
STEP 3
Stir in the garlic, dried herbs, garlic powder, remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
STEP 4
Return the beef to the pan and add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and a pinch of sugar. Simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
💭 Expert Tips
- Freezer‑friendly: Divide into portions, cool completely, and freeze in airtight containers for 3–4 months.
- Spaghetti tip: Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti noodles to pair with this sauce—perfect for 4–5 servings.
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📖 Recipe
Pasta Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Beef
- 3 tablespoons olive Oil
- 1 cup onions small dice
- ½ cup carrots small dice
- ½ cup celery small dice
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can tomato sauce 1 lb. 13 oz.
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 pinch sugar optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons basil dried
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Drain excess grease and set the meat aside.
- Add olive oil to the same pan. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery (mirepoix) for about 8 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the garlic, dried herbs, garlic powder, remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Return the beef to the pan and add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and a pinch of sugar. Simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
-
- Freezer‑friendly: Divide into portions, cool completely, and freeze in airtight containers for 3–4 months.
- Spaghetti tip: Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti noodles to pair with this sauce—perfect for 4–5 servings.
- This recipe makes about 6 cups of pasta sauce.
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