The SECRET Ingredient That Takes This Meat Sauce Over the Top 🤫🍝

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

pork sausage

🥗Healthier: chicken sausage

💰Cheaper: bulk sausage

Chicken sausage is leaner, while bulk sausage can be more affordable.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated cheese blend

Nutritional yeast is a lower-calorie option, while a cheese blend can be more budget-friendly.

Start by heating a little olive oil in the bottom of a pan.

Add chopped onions and bell peppers to the pan and sweat them down until the onions are translucent.

Add freshly chopped garlic to the pan and cook briefly to avoid burning.

Add 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of ground sausage to the pan and mix with the vegetables until browned.

Stir in dried oregano, fresh parsley, and fresh basil.

Season with salt and fresh ground pepper, and optionally add red pepper flakes for spice.

Ensure the meat is fully cooked before proceeding to the next step.

Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to the meat mixture and stir well.

Add about 1 tablespoon of sugar to reduce acidity in the sauce.

Drop in a parmesan cheese wedge to infuse flavor into the sauce.

Add a couple tablespoons of red wine for depth of flavor.

Cover and let the sauce simmer, tasting occasionally to adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve the sauce over noodles, optionally mixing them together.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens