Perfect your pasta with Homemade Italian Meat Sauce. This hearty tomato sauce with sausage and ground beef is specially seasoned and slow simmered for authentic taste with less acid. Makes enough for a small crowd in as little as 30 minutes, but freezes beautifully for future meals.
228-oz canscrushed tomatoesfire roasted if available
2teaspoonitalian seasoning
2teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonground pepper
pinchred pepper flakesoptional
½teaspoonbaking sodaoptional
2tablespoonlight brown sugaroptional
1tablespoonfresh chopped basil
Instructions
Heat a 6-quart dutch oven or other heavy bottomed pot over medium high heat. Add the ground beef, italian sausage, and onion. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is translucent, breaking up the meat with a wood spoon as it cooks.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir into the meat mixture. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until the flavor deepens slightly and the tomato paste is completely worked in and no visible chunks remain.
Add the canned tomatoes to the pot. Pour 2 tablespoons water into each can, swirl to release any clinging tomatoes, then pour the mixture into the pot.
Add the italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper, if using. Optional - if you're sensitive to acid, add ½ teaspoon baking soda or up to 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Stir to combine all ingredients.
Increase the heat to bring the sauce to barely boiling, then adjust the heat to maintain a low, steady simmer (look for bubbles in the sauce that pop once every few seconds). Simmer at least 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scalding. The sauce should thicken considerably.
Stir in the fresh basil and serve over your favorite pasta. This sauce serves at least 8; freeze half for later use, or store in the fridge for another purpose (it makes an excellent base for lasagna!).