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Al Dente Diva » Recipes » Pasta Recipes » MEAT SAUCE FOR PASTA

MEAT SAUCE FOR PASTA

Published: Aug 2, 2022 · Modified: Aug 20, 2025 by Al Dente Diva · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

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This meat sauce for pasta is made with ground beef, onions and garlic that have been simmered in Italian seasoned tomato sauce for the perfect compliment to any pasta.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

meat sauce for pasta cover photo

Everyone needs a really great go to meat sauce for pasta in their collection and for me, this one is it! It uses simple ingredients, is easy to make and my family absolutely loves it. This recipe is especially great for me because it doesn't require all day to simmer on the stove. I can have this sauce done in 30 minutes with just as much flavor packed into it as it would if it took all day to make.

Whenever I make this for parties or casual dinners at home, the compliments just keep on coming. Everyone just loves the flavors of this super easy to make sauce.This recipe has been passed around to so many of my friends and its their go to meat sauce for their families now, too.

Meat Sauce For Pasta Variations

  • Pasta- This sauce goes well with any kind of pasta that you'd like. So choose your favorite.
  • Wine- Red or White wine would both be ok to use here. You can also omit the wine completely or replace it with some chicken or vegetable broth.

Ingredients

Heres everything you'll need to make this meat sauce. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

  • Ground Beef
  • Olive Oil
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Red Wine
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Fresh Basil

How To Make It

Heres how to make this delicious sauce. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

First, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the onions. Saute the onions for about three minutes or until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Sautee for one more minute, stirring frequently. Add the ground beef and season it with salt, pepper, Garlic Powder and Italian Seasoning. Continue to saute the beef, breaking it down into small pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is browned and cooked all the way through. Drain the fat if necessary.

cooked and seasoned ground beef in skillet

Next, turn the heat up to medium high and add the wine. Allow the alcohol to cook out of the wine for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season the with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning garlic powder. Stir in the shredded basil and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

NOTE: You can let the sauce simmer for longer if you'd like. It will deepen the flavor.

meat sauce for pasta tossed in rigatoni

Do I Have To Add The Wine?

No, you don't have to use the wine. Omit the wine completely or replace it with some chicken or vegetable broth.

What Should I Serve This With?

Serve this sauce with the past of your choice. We also like to serve it with a side of Homemade Garlic Bread.

Storage

Let the meat sauce cool completely and place it into a food safe air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days.

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Meat Sauce For Pasta Recipe

This meat sauce for pasta is made with ground beef, onions and garlic that have been simmered in Italian seasoned tomato sauce for the perfect compliment to any pasta.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5-2 Pounds Ground Beef
  • 2 Tbs Olive Oil
  • ¼ Cup Red Wine
  • 1 Small Onion, chopped
  • 5 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 2 Tbs Garlic Powder, Divided
  • 3 Tbs Italian Seasoning, Divided
  • 56 Oz (2 cans) Crushed Tomatoes
  • 3-4 Tbs Fresh Basil, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the chopped onions. Saute the onions for about three minutes or until they begin to soften.
  • Add the chopped garlic and 1 Tbs of the Italian Seasoning. Saute for one more minute, stirring frequently.
  • Add the ground beef and season it with salt, pepper, 1 Tbs of Garlic Powder and 1 Tbs of Italian Seasoning. Continue to saute the beef, breaking it down into small pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula, until it is browned and cooked all the way through. Drain the fat if necessary.
  • Turn the heat up to medium high and add the wine. Allow the alcohol to cook out of the wine for 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season them with Salt, Pepper, 1 Tbs of Italian Seasoning and 1 Tbs of Garlic Powder.
  • Stir in the shredded basil and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Video

Keyword meat sauce, meat sauce for pasta

Other Easy Pasta Recipes

If you like super easy pasta recipes like this one, you have to try this Marry Me Pasta, The Best Vodka Sauce and Easy Alfredo Sauce.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Al Dente Diva says

    January 28, 2026 at 9:24 am

    Hi it’s 2 (28oz) cans that total 56

  2. nadine c salogub says

    January 28, 2026 at 12:38 am

    How many 56 oz cans of crushes tomatoes - one OR two ?

  3. Al Dente Diva says

    June 25, 2025 at 1:16 pm

    You can just omit it or use a little chicken or veggie broth

  4. Enid Pech says

    June 24, 2025 at 4:55 pm

    What can I use instead of the wine

  5. Tracey Kramer says

    August 19, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    What type of white wine do you recommend? Thank You

  6. Al Dente Diva says

    August 07, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    oops sorry about 1/4 cup

  7. Al Dente Diva says

    August 07, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    enough for one pound of pasta

  8. Phyllis says

    August 03, 2022 at 9:32 pm

    How much white wine did you add to the meat sauce? Thanks in advance.

  9. Debra says

    August 03, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    How much does this meat sauce make?

Welcome!

Welcome to Al Dente Diva! I'm Tara Ippolito, and I create approachable recipes that anyone can make at home. I focus on real ingredients, clear instructions, and flavors that people genuinely want to eat. If you're looking for dependable meals you can easily throw together, you're in the right place.

More about me

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