You can make this Easy Pasta Sauce for any night of the week, with simple ingredients that you might have on hand but all the flavor of a great sauce that everyone loves. All made up and on the table in under 30 minutes. You have got to love that!!
Want more easy dinners with the same theme in mind? Try our Baked Meatballs, Sausage Pepper Pasta, Mexican Spaghetti or Spaghetti with Arugula and Lemon Sauce.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Just like my mom would make
- Fast and easy
- The whole family loves it
- Hearty spaghetti meal
- Simple and flavorful
Helpful Items For This Recipe
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Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid, Oyster White
Measuring Spoons, Premium Heavy Duty 18/8 Stainless Steel, Set of 6
Easy Pasta Sauce Ingredients
The three main ingredients for sauce-making are tomatoes, spices/herbs, and meat. This gives you a great start to a traditional Bolognese-type meat sauce.
These are really simple ingredients that you should have on hand in a well-stocked pantry already.
Recipe Ingredients
Olive oil – You don’t need an expensive olive oil here, but something decent.
Onion, diced – Just a regular yellow onion works here, but if you have a sweet onion, that works well, too.
Ground beef – Not too lean, a regular to lean ground beef works well.
Onion powder and garlic powder – Great flavor from these two simple spices.
Smoked paprika – This adds some depth to the sauce. You can use regular paprika also.
Dried thyme – A great herb used in many Italian recipes.
Canned diced tomatoes – Get a good quality tomato if you can.
Tomato paste – This helps to thicken the sauce while adding more tomato flavor.
Chicken stock cube – A little umami is added when using this simple ingredient. You will be surprised how much flavor it adds to this quick sauce.
Salt, to taste – Always a must; I use Kosher or sea salt, but not too much.
Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish) – Adds freshness to the final sauce.
Parmesan – This is used for garnish but adds a finishing salty, tangy flavor, too. Always buy the good Parmesan Reggiano and freshly grate yourself.
How to Make Easy Pasta Sauce
Sauté the Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onion. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Add Spices: Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Stir to coat the meat evenly with the spices.
Incorporate Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it blends well with the meat. Add the chopped tomatoes and crumble the chicken stock cube into the mixture. Stir to combine.
Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
Season: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.
Recipe Pro Tips!
FAQs
Keep the sauce simple, as this is a quick and easy meal to be on the table in no time. Just like my mom used to make.
If you would like to add some richness at the end, you can add a pat of butter. This makes it a little bit creamy and is delicious.
If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water at the end also.
Try some different-shaped pasta like the wide noodles, which are called pappardelle.
Use quality but simple ingredients. You may pay more, but you will need to use less.
WANT MORE FAST AND EASY DINNER RECIPES?
Who doesn’t love to have dinner on the table quickly? Here are some of our favorite fast meals.
Easy Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 14.5 oz cans chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 chicken stock cube
- Salt to taste
- Fresh basil chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onion. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Stir to coat the meat evenly with the spices.
- Incorporate Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it blends well with the meat. Add the chopped tomatoes and crumble the chicken stock cube into the mixture. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together. Cook to desired consistency.
- Season: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.
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