This is a print preview of "Homemade Hearty Garlic Meat Sauce (Lasagna Meat Sauce)" recipe.

Homemade Hearty Garlic Meat Sauce (Lasagna Meat Sauce) Recipe
by For the Love of Italian Cooking

Homemade Hearty Garlic Meat Sauce (Lasagna Meat Sauce)

Homemade tomato meat sauce in just under an hour (plus 15 min prep time). I like to use this sauce in my lasagna. Make sure to use fresh, good-quality ingredients.

Rating: 5/5
Avg. 5/5 1 vote
Prep time: Italy Italian
Cook time: Servings: 8 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 small red onions, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 carrot, finely grated
  • 1 lb ground meat (½ beef, ½ pork)
  • 2 (28 oz) cans pureed tomato sauce (pomodoro passato)
  • 4 basil leaves
  • 3 sage leaves (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • salt to taste (each layer is seasoned with salt)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • ¼ - ½ cup of milk (this helps to neutralize the acidity level from the tomatoes)

Directions

  1. Heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat, in a large saucepan. Add onion. Season with a small pinch of salt and cook for 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  2. Add grated carrot and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Add ground meat and cook till browned, about 6 minutes. You can either drain the fat at this point, or cook it a few more minutes till most of it has evaporated. (This adds more flavour). Season meat with a bit of salt and pepper. You can also add additional seasonings to the meat if you like, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and/or paprika.
  4. Add tomato sauce, basil, sage, bay leaf, and season the sauce with salt to taste. Cover saucepan and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes, occassionally stirring.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and let it simmer for another 10 minutes.
  6. Turn off heat. Add 1-2 minced garlic cloves and milk. Cover with lid and let stand 10 minutes before using in the lasagna.
  7. A FEW NOTES: This sauce can also be served over pasta, gnocchi ravioli, tortellini, or used in a parmesan dish. This sauce freezes well.