Low Carb Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef

Transform your dinners with this hearty, flavorful Low Carb Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef, an easy and wholesome recipe perfect for weeknight meals or meal prep. This rich, no-sugar-added marinara combines tender, browned ground beef with a blend of aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, creating a thick, savory sauce that’s bursting with Italian-inspired flavors. Packed with finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and crushed tomatoes, the sauce simmers to perfection in just 40 minutes. Serve it over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or your favorite low-carb pasta for a keto-friendly dish that’s comforting yet guilt-free. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of indulgence. Whether you're following a low-carb lifestyle or simply looking for a wholesome, homemade alternative to jarred sauces, this recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (no-sugar-added)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0 Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet.

Step 5

Cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 6

Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 7

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Step 8

Mix everything well to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 10

Stir in freshly chopped parsley just before serving.

Step 11

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 12

Serve hot over your choice of low-carb pasta or zucchini noodles, and optionally garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1445.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1537.0

Total Fat 111.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 304.1mg	0%
Sodium 1654.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 58.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.0g
Protein 88.6g	0%

Vitamin D 2IU	0%
Calcium 290.6mg	0%
Iron 15.1mg	0%
Potassium 3047.7mg	0%

*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: 63.1%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 14.6%