Pat's Lasagna Meat Sauce

Transform your lasagna into a show-stopping masterpiece with Pat's Lasagna Meat Sauce, a rich and savory sauce brimming with hearty flavor and wholesome ingredients. This homemade recipe combines tender ground beef, zesty Italian sausage, and a medley of aromatic vegetables like onion, garlic, carrot, and celery for a depth of flavor that can’t be beaten. Simmered with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a savory blend of dried basil, oregano, and parsley, the sauce achieves the perfect balance of robust and comforting. With a touch of sugar and optional red pepper flakes to elevate the flavor, this classic Italian-inspired meat sauce is ideal for layering between lasagna sheets or serving over pasta. Ready in just over an hour, Pat’s Lasagna Meat Sauce is the ultimate recipe for creating a restaurant-quality lasagna in your own kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small carrot, finely grated
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance its flavor.

Step 5

Add the canned crushed tomatoes, beef broth, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot partially with a lid. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded, stir in the fresh parsley.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Add additional salt, pepper, or sugar to balance the flavors.

Step 9

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before using in your lasagna assembly, or store in an airtight container for later use.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2045.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2394.8

Total Fat 182.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 473.4mg	0%
Sodium 6596.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 82.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.2g	0%
Total Sugars 49.3g
Protein 124.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 422.2mg	0%
Iron 20.1mg	0%
Potassium 5308.4mg	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: 66.5%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 13.3%