Meaty Red Sauce

Taken from my lasagna recipe, I use this as my go to Italian red sauce to throw on pasta.

Ingredients Directions

  • 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (14 oz) can canned tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 tbsp white sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp fennel seed
  • 1 tsp oregano (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne
  • A few grinds of black pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh)

  1. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, set aside
  2. Saute the onion in the rendered fat
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 additional minutes
  4. Add the tomato paste and fry for 1-2 minutes
  5. Add the diced tomato, tomato sauce, water, wine, and seasonings (except parsley)
  6. Cook covered on low heat for 1 hour
  7. Add parsley and serve

Notes

I increased the herbs and spices significantly. I find so many recipes to be under seasoned.

Either sweet or hot Italian sausage is fine for this.

The sugar adds a lot of texture and feeling of thickness, not really sweetness. Optionally add some grated Parmesan cheese to enhance richness.

Saves well in the refrigerator or freezer.

Original Recipe

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