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–+ servings
Overhead picture of meat sauce with spaghetti

Homemade Meat Sauce with Ground Beef and Sausage

Tammy OverhoffTammy Overhoff
Ready in about an hour, this homemade meat sauce with ground beef and sausage has all the rich, slow-simmered flavor of Sunday sauce - without the meatballs. It’s hearty, perfectly seasoned, and naturally gluten-free. Serve it over gluten-free spaghetti, rigatoni, or use it in lasagna or stuffed shells. Bonus: it freezes beautifully, so make a double batch and enjoy homemade Italian comfort anytime.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course dinner recipe
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 491 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 5 1/2 Quart Pot
  • 1 Beef Chopper
  • 1 Lage Spoon
  • 1 Lage knife
  • 1 Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb 85/25 ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage links casings removed
  • 2 cups chopped white onion about 1 large onion
  • 4-6 medium garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Lee & Perrins is gluten-free, double-check labels
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 28-ounce canned tomato puree
  • 1 14-ounce canned diced tomatoes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb Gluten-free spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a 5½-quart Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
  • Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let it cook for about a minute to allow the seasonings to bloom and enhance the flavor.
  • Push the meat to one side of the pot and drizzle in a little more olive oil if needed. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
  • Carefully pour in the tomato purée and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine all ingredients. Be cautious when adding the tomatoes, they can splatter as they hit the heat.
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover loosely with a lid and let the sauce simmer for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. For deeper flavor, let it go for 1–2 hours. If it thickens too much, stir in a splash of water or broth.
  •  Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve over your favorite gluten-free pasta and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Nutritional Information

  • The nutritional information is for 1/6 of the sauce recipe. And it's for the sauce only, please adjust for pasta and cheese.

Storage & Freezer Tips

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover meat sauce in an airtight container up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Portion into 1-cup servings using Souper Cube silicone trays or freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave until hot. Stir in a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 27gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 686mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10g
Keyword classic meat sauce, gluten free meat sauce, homemade meat sauce, homemade meatsauce with ground beef and sausage, spaghetti meat sauce, spaghetti sauce
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