Monday Night Meat Sauce For Pasta
A Recipe That Will End Up On Your Regular Rotation
Monday Night Meat Sauce For Pasta is a recipe that anyone can make using simple and affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned crushed tomatoes, and a handful of seasonings and herbs. Goes great with any pasta shape!
This is close to a very similar sauce that I have made for years that my Aunt Barb taught me to prepare. I recently made a few adjustments to that classic recipe that give just a slightly different taste to this old Tipsy favorite.
This recipe makes a decent amount of sauce, so much so that I am able to freeze a few cups to use at a later time. You can also bring the extra to a person who struggles with cooking for themselves.
This is a thoughtful drop off meal with some fresh ravioli and a good loaf of bread.
Chicken Bouillon With Tomato
Every time I write a new recipe I like to think of questions people may have. I have a feeling some may ask me about the chicken bouillon with tomato that is on the recipe card.
This is an easily accessible ingredient that I find in almost any grocery store. It adds a nice layer of flavor to this quick cooking meat sauce.
This is the same ingredient I use in my new recipe for Creamy Tomato, Basil, and Sausage Pasta. You can also add it to soups and stews.
If you have my infamous tomato powder you can use that in this recipe as well. These both add a nice layer of flavor to this simple sauce.
The Tomato Paste
I feel like some may be confused by the tomato paste in the recipe as well. Pictured above is the tomato paste I like to use.
This is also a readily available ingredient as many brands make this type of tomato paste. If you are adjusting your seasonings as the recipe calls for, remember that the tomato paste will add flavors as well, so use caution when adding more of any of the spices and herbs.
Brown Sugar
Many may question this ingredient but trust me on this. It takes out the bitter, acidic flavor that can come from canned tomatoes.
It also just helps all the flavors come together. You will not find the brown sugar flavor to be super sweet in this sauce.
Reheats Well
I usually make this on a Monday which is why I call it Monday Night Meat Sauce For Pasta. The beauty of this recipe is that it reheats really well!
I have to admit that sometimes I even like to eat this cold! This is a good recipe to go into a thermos for a hot lunch the next day.
Monday Night Meat Sauce For Pasta Recipe
Monday Night Meat Sauce For Pasta is a recipe that gets dinner on the table fast. Made with ground beef, onion, canned tomatoes, and love. This meat sauce simmers up quickly and is perfectly paired with your favorite pasta shape.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 lbss of lean Ground Beef (85% or above)
- 1 medium sized Sweet Onion
- 28 ounce can of Crushed Tomatoes
- 14 ounces of Water
- 6 ounce can of Italian Tomato Paste (with basil, garlic and oregano)
- 1 tablespoon (or less) of Chicken Bouillon with Tomato *pictured in post
- 1/2 tablespoon of Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tablespoon of Onion Powder
- 1/2 tablespoon (or less) of Dried Oregano or Dried Basil or an Italian Herb Mix
- 1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar
- 1 lb. box of your favorite Pasta
- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
Instructions
- Finely dice the onion. Add the olive oil to a deep sided skillet on medium heat then add the onion. Sauté until golden brown and soft.
- Season the onions with the garlic and onion powder and the chicken bouillon with tomato. Sauté for a couple of minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the onion and cook, breaking up into a fine crumble as it cooks. Use the leaner beef so you do not have to drain it.
- When the beef is fully cooked, add the dried herb of your choice and sauté for five minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. You may want to add more of the bouillon or any of the seasonings.
- Add the 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes and then fill the can halfway with water to get the rest of the tomatoes out and add to the pan. Bring this all to a simmer, then add the brown sugar. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- The sauce should be thickening and the liquid reduced. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Add the entire can of the tomato paste, whisking it in as the pan simmers. The sauce should thicken. Simmer 10 more minutes.
- At this point I usually remove 2 to 3 cups of the sauce to a container made to go in the freezer to freeze this sauce for use another time. You do not have to do this.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat. Let this simmer for a few minutes. Serve with Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
- This tastes great reheated!