Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef

Elevate your pasta night with this rich and hearty Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef, a delicious twist on a classic Italian favorite! This versatile recipe begins with a savory base of sautéed onions and garlic, combined with perfectly browned ground beef for a robust, meaty flavor. Slow-simmered with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a medley of aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, this sauce is layered with depth and balanced by a touch of sweetness and spice from sugar and red pepper flakes. In just under an hour, you’ll have a thick, flavorful sauce that’s perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta, spooning over zucchini noodles, or using as a flavorful topping for baked dishes. Ready in just one pot and made with pantry staples, this crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 500 grams ground beef
• 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add diced onion to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add minced garlic and continue to sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pan. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 7-10 minutes.

Step 5

Once the beef is browned, drain any excess fat from the pan.

Step 6

Add the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer gently, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes to meld the flavors, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 10

Stir in freshly chopped basil leaves just before serving.

Step 11

Serve over cooked pasta of choice, or as a sauce for your favorite dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1536.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1680.2

Total Fat 118.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 354.0mg	0%
Sodium 3720.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.8g	0%
Total Sugars 45.9g
Protein 90.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 411.1mg	0%
Iron 20.9mg	0%
Potassium 4540.9mg	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: 62.0%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 17.1%