Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef Recipe

Ground beef: Provides a hearty and rich flavor to the sauce.

Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic qualities.

Tomato sauce: Forms the base of the sauce, giving it a smooth texture.

Diced tomatoes: Adds texture and a burst of tomato flavor.

Tomato paste: Thickens the sauce and intensifies the tomato flavor.

Dried oregano: Adds a slightly bitter, earthy flavor.

Dried basil: Contributes a sweet and savory note.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the sauce.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the sauce.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures that the meat cooks evenly and develops a nice, caramelized crust. Additionally, be patient and avoid stirring too frequently; allowing the beef to sit undisturbed for a minute or two will help it brown more effectively. Once browned, drain any excess fat to prevent the sauce from becoming greasy.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils offer a plant-based protein alternative and absorb flavors well, making them a great meat substitute.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder, slightly sweeter taste compared to onions and can add a more delicate flavor.

• onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a subtle onion-like flavor and can add a different texture to the sauce.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used when fresh garlic is unavailable, though it has a slightly different flavor intensity.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can add a mild garlic-like flavor and a bit of sweetness to the sauce.

• tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar consistency and flavor, though they may be slightly chunkier.

• tomato sauce - Substitute with passata: Passata is a smooth, sieved tomato puree that can replace tomato sauce with a similar texture and taste.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with fresh tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes can be chopped and used in place of canned diced tomatoes, offering a fresher taste.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with tomato puree: Tomato puree can be used for a smoother consistency, though it may require additional seasoning.

• tomato paste - Substitute with sun-dried tomato paste: Sun-dried tomato paste adds a richer, more intense tomato flavor.

• tomato paste - Substitute with ketchup: Ketchup can be used in a pinch, though it is sweeter and may alter the flavor profile slightly.

• dried oregano - Substitute with fresh oregano: Fresh oregano can be used for a more vibrant flavor, though you may need to use more to match the intensity.

• dried oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning contains oregano and other herbs, providing a similar flavor profile.

• dried basil - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil offers a more aromatic and intense flavor compared to dried basil.

• dried basil - Substitute with thyme: Thyme can provide a different but complementary herbal note to the sauce.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct substitute, often providing a slightly different mineral taste.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes can add a bit of heat and a different kind of spiciness to the sauce.

• Allow the spaghetti sauce to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and helps maintain the sauce's texture and flavor.
• Transfer the sauce to airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using containers, leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion when freezing.
• Label each container or bag with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long the sauce has been stored.
• For short-term storage, place the containers in the refrigerator. The sauce will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
• For long-term storage, place the containers or bags in the freezer. The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its quality.
• When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the sauce's texture and flavor.
• Reheat the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth to reach the desired consistency.
• For a quick thaw, place the sealed freezer bag in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the sauce is thawed.
• Avoid refreezing the sauce once it has been thawed, as this can affect the texture and flavor.
• If you have leftover spaghetti sauce after reheating, store it in the refrigerator and use it within 2 days.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the spaghetti sauce with ground beef into a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once the sauce begins to bubble gently, reduce the heat to low.
  4. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the spaghetti sauce with ground beef to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals, stirring each time, until the sauce is hot.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the spaghetti sauce with ground beef to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the sauce is heated evenly.

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Pour the spaghetti sauce with ground beef into the slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to low heat.
  3. Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thoroughly warmed.

• Double Boiler Method:

  1. Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with water and bring it to a simmer.
  2. Place the spaghetti sauce with ground beef in the top pot.
  3. Stir occasionally, heating until the sauce is hot and evenly warmed through.

• Large pot: Used for cooking the ground beef and simmering the sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients and ensuring they are well combined.
• Knife: Essential for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
• Can opener: Necessary for opening the cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
• Colander: Useful for draining any excess fat from the cooked ground beef.
• Spatula: Handy for scraping down the sides of the pot to ensure all ingredients are mixed in.
• Stove: Required for cooking the ground beef and simmering the sauce.

Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-made sauce: Substitute homemade tomato sauce with a quality store-bought version to save time.

Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.

Simmer in a slow cooker: Let the sauce simmer in a slow cooker while you handle other tasks.

Pre-cook ground beef: Cook and freeze ground beef in advance to cut down on prep time.