This Healthy Homemade Meat Sauce is simple, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights! It's made only a handful of fresh ingredients like ground beef, organic whole peeled tomatoes, garlic, onions, and fresh herbs.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When it comes to busy weeknights, I'm always looking for recipes that I can cook once and eat 2-3 times! This large batch Italian Meat Sauce Recipe is simple, easy, and so good.
Plus, the whole family approves, which is why it's on a regular rotation in our house!
There's no cheese, no added sugar, and you can easily make it gluten-free by serving with your favorite gluten-free pasta, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles!
Plus, it's a freezer friendly meal which makes it a great option for meal prep!
🍴Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef - You can also swap for lean ground turkey, but I prefer beef with this recipe.
- Whole Peeled Tomatoes - I suggest using an immersion blender to puree the tomatoes, but you can also use a regular blender or food processor.
- Sweet Onion - Instead of using onion powder, I always add fresh diced sweet onion to my sauce.
- Fresh Herbs - For the best flavor, I love using fresh basil and parsley.
- Coconut Milk - To cut the acidity of the tomatoes, I use full fat coconut milk. Any plain dairy-free milk will work. Add more if you like a creamier sauce!
- Garlic - Feel free to add more or less garlic depending on how garlicy you want your sauce! Fresh minced garlic is best, but you can swap for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Tomato Paste - To thicken the sauce, I add a few tablespoons of organic tomato paste.
- Salt - You'll need a little to season the ground beef and some to add in while the sauce simmers.
- Red Pepper Flakes - If you aren't a big fan of spice, swap for black pepper.
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start by preheating a large skillet to medium heat. Then add in the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or a meat masher.
Step 2: Add in Garlic & Onions
When the meat is starting to brown, add in the diced onion, minced garlic, and about 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until onions are translucent.
Step 3: Add in Tomatoes & Herbs
Then add in the purred whole peeled tomatoes, coconut milk, tomato paste, chopped basil, chopped parsley, 1+½ teaspoons of salt, and red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
Step 4: Simmer Meat Sauce
Stir well and cover. Simmer on a low heat for 30-60 minutes stirring occasionally.
Serve this healthy pasta sauce over your favorite gluten-free pasta or vegetable noodles!
Expert Tips
- When adding gluten-free pasta into sauce, just note that it will absorb some of the liquid. I always cook my pasta a little al dente, so it doesn't get soggy. You can also keep it in a separate container with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking.
- The longer you simmer the sauce, the more flavorful it will be! I usually let mine cook for 30-60 minutes.
- Because this recipe makes a large batch, you can freeze half for a rainy day! It's easy to reheat on the stovetop.
- If you're looking for a good gluten-free pasta option, my favorite pasta brand is Jovial! They make brown rice pasta in a variety of shapes!
Serving Suggestions
Gluten-Free Bread
If you're looking for a gluten-free bread to serve on the side, my Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread, or a toasted slice of my Paleo Garlic Herb Bread would be great!
Make it Whole30 & Paleo
To make this dish Paleo & Whole30 friendly, you can serve with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash!
New to spaghetti squash? Check out my post on How to Bake Spaghetti Squash for more information.
Vegetables
A classic meat sauce is typically served with pasta, but I always add in extra vegetables for more fiber and nutrients!
While the sauce is simmering, you can add in roughly chopped broccoli florets. (They will cook right in the sauce!)
Another great combination is roasted peppers, roasted broccoli, and kalamata olives. Just add thinly sliced bell peppers and broccoli florets to a parchment paper lined baking tray. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.
Stir the roasted vegetables into the meat sauce when you're ready to serve.
How to store leftovers
Store leftover meat sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze for 2-3 months in a freezer-safe container!
More Pasta Recipes!
After you make this Healthy Homemade Meat Sauce, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!
Recipe Card
Healthy Homemade Meat Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large Pan
- 1 Immersion Blender You can also use a regular blender or food processor for the whole peeled tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 28 Ounces Whole Peeled Tomatoes, Pureed I use an immersion blender to puree the tomatoes.
- 1 Sweet Onion, Diced
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil, Roughly Chopped
- ½ Cup Fresh Parsley, Roughly Chopped
- ½-1 Cup Coconut Milk I used full fat coconut milk. Add more if you like a creamier sauce.
- 4-6 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
- 2-3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2+½ Teaspoons Salt About 1 teaspoon for the ground beef and 1+½ teaspoons for the sauce.
- ½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Start by preheating a large skillet to medium heat. Then add in the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or a meat masher.
- When the meat is starting to brown, add in the diced onion, minced garlic, and about 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until onions are translucent.
- Then add in the purred whole peeled tomatoes, coconut milk, tomato paste, chopped basil, chopped parsley, 1+½ teaspoons of salt, and red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- Stir well and cover. Simmer on a low heat for 30-60 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Serve over your favorite gluten-free pasta or vegetable noodles!
Notes
Expert Tips
- When adding gluten-free pasta into sauce, just note that it will absorb some of the liquid. I always cook my pasta a little al dente, so it doesn't get soggy. You can also keep it in a separate container with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking.
- The longer you simmer the sauce, the more flavorful it will be! I usually let mine cook for 30-60 minutes.
- Because this recipe makes a large batch, you can freeze half for a rainy day! It's easy to reheat on the stovetop.
- If you're looking for a good gluten-free pasta option, my favorite pasta brand is Jovial! They make brown rice pasta in a variety of shapes!
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover meat sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze for 2-3 months in a freezer-safe container! ** See full post for more information and step by step photos!Nutrition
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