Okay, so let me tell you about my absolute go-to, back-pocket, saved-my-dinner-more-times-than-I-can-count recipe. You know those nights when you just need something comforting, something that smells amazing while it’s cooking, and something everyone will actually eat without complaining? Yeah, this is THAT recipe for me. It takes me right back to Sunday dinners at my grandma’s house, the smell of garlic and tomatoes filling the air. She always had a big pot of this simmering, and the moment you walked in, you just knew you were home.
I’ve messed around with a lot of fancy sauces over the years, but honestly, nothing beats the simple goodness of this classic. It’s proof that you don’t need a million ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something truly special. If you want to whip up a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish without a whole lot of fuss, this is the one you need in your life. Trust me on this, I’ve perfected the art of getting dinner on the table fast, and this recipe is a major player in my kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe If You Want to Make a Delicious Dish
So, why is THIS the recipe you need in your arsenal? Honestly, it just hits all the right notes, especially if you want to make a delicious dish without turning your kitchen upside down. Here’s the lowdown:
- It’s ridiculously easy. Seriously, even if you’re a total beginner in the kitchen, you can nail this. Just a few simple steps, and you’re golden.
- That classic comfort food flavor. This tastes like home, like Grandma’s cooking (even if your grandma didn’t make sauce!). It’s rich, savory, and just makes you feel good.
- Super versatile. This sauce isn’t just for pasta! Spoon it over rice, stuff it in peppers, make a quick lasagna… the possibilities are endless. It’s a meal starter waiting to happen.
It’s truly a winner, every single time.
Ingredients If You Want to Get Started
Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff – what you’ll need to make this magic happen. If you want to get started on this deliciousness, gather these simple ingredients. You probably have most of them already!
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular, your call!)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (don’t be shy!)
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, don’t drain ’em!
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (smell that goodness!)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
See? Easy peasy!
Equipment If You Want to Cook This
Okay, you’ve got your ingredients ready to go. Now, let’s talk tools! If you want to cook this amazing sauce without any hiccups, you really don’t need much fancy stuff. Here’s what I grab:
- A big, sturdy skillet. You want something with enough room to brown the meat and then simmer everything together.
- A wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula for stirring.
- Maybe a can opener, if your cans aren’t the pop-top kind!
See? Told you it was simple!
How to Prepare If You Want the Perfect Sauce
Alright, now for the fun part – actually making this deliciousness happen! If you want the perfect sauce that tastes like it simmered all day (even though it totally didn’t!), follow these super simple steps. It’s really straightforward, promise!
Browning the Ground Beef
First things first, get your big skillet heated up over medium heat. Toss in your pound of ground beef. Break it up with your wooden spoon and cook it until it’s all nice and brown, no pink left in sight! This usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Once it’s cooked through, carefully drain off any extra grease. You don’t want a greasy sauce, right?
Adding Aromatics If You Want More Flavor
With the beef browned and the fat drained, it’s time to build some serious flavor. Add your chopped onion and minced garlic right into the skillet with the beef. Stir it around and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion looks soft and a little see-through. You’ll smell that amazing garlic and onion aroma wafting up – that’s when you know you’re on the right track!
Simmering If You Want Richness
Now for the magic! Pour in your can of diced tomatoes (don’t drain the juice!), the can of tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer – you’ll see little bubbles popping. Once it’s simmering, turn the heat down to low. Let it cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together and get all rich and delicious. You can totally let it go longer if you have the time – 20 or even 30 minutes is great! Just keep an eye on it and give it a stir now and then.
Tips for Success If You Want the Best Results
So you’ve made the sauce! Yay! Here are a few little tips I’ve picked up along the way that’ll make sure your sauce is the absolute best it can be, especially if you want the best results:
- Taste and adjust! Before you serve, give it a little taste. Does it need a pinch more salt? A little more pepper? Don’t be afraid to tweak it to your liking.
- Make it ahead! This sauce is *even better* the next day. The flavors really get to hang out and become best friends overnight. So if you have time, make it the day before you plan to eat it.
- Think beyond pasta! While it’s amazing over spaghetti, don’t stop there! Try it over rice, baked potatoes, or even as a dip with crusty bread.
Little things, but they make a big difference!
Variations If You Want to Change It Up
Okay, so the basic recipe is fantastic, but sometimes you want to mix things up a little, right? If you want to change it up and make this sauce your own, here are a few ideas I love playing with:
- Sneak in some veggies: Before you add the tomatoes, toss in some finely diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even grated carrots. They’ll soften as the sauce simmers and add extra goodness (and nutrients!).
- Herb power: Feel free to add other dried herbs you love! A pinch of dried thyme or a little crushed red pepper flakes for a kick are great additions.
- Make it meaty: If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try swapping out half the ground beef for Italian sausage (mild or hot!). Just brown it up the same way.
Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Storage and Reheating If You Want to Save Leftovers
Okay, so maybe you made a big batch (smart move!) or you just have some glorious leftovers you want to enjoy later. If you want to save leftovers, storing and reheating this sauce is super easy. Just let the sauce cool down completely first. Then, spoon it into an airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can totally freeze it! It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. To reheat, just pop it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s hot all the way through. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions If You Want More Information
Got a few more questions swirling around in your head about this easy ground beef and tomato sauce? Totally normal! If you want more information before you dive in, here are some common things people ask:
Can I use a Different Type of Meat?
Absolutely! While ground beef is classic for this pasta sauce, you can totally swap it out. Ground turkey, pork, or even a mix of beef and Italian sausage would work great. Just cook it the same way!
How Long Can I Store This Sauce?
Once cooked and cooled, this tomato sauce keeps really well. You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. It’s also perfect for freezing – it’ll last about 3 months in the freezer.
What Can I Serve This With?
Oh man, the possibilities are endless! Obviously, it’s amazing over any kind of pasta. But try it over rice, spooned into baked potatoes, as a filling for stuffed peppers or zucchini, or simply with some crusty bread for dipping. It’s a super versatile, easy recipe!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note about the nutritional stuff for this recipe! These values are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use (like how lean your ground beef is or the brand of tomatoes). So, think of this as a general idea, not a hard and fast rule!
Share Your Experience
Okay, now it’s your turn! I’d absolutely love to hear how this recipe worked for you. Did you make any fun variations? Did your family love it as much as mine does? Please leave a comment below and let me know! You can also rate the recipe – every star helps! And hey, if you snap a pic of your delicious creation, tag me on social media! I can’t wait to see it!
Print
If you want a delicious dish in just 4 steps
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A simple and delicious recipe for a classic dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- This sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or with bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: ground beef, tomato sauce, pasta sauce, easy recipe