Classic Italian Meat Sauce

Why a True Italian Meat Sauce Never Goes Out of Style

A classic Italian meat sauce is the foundation of countless beloved meals. It’s warm, hearty, deeply savory, and infused with layers of flavor that only develop through patience and proper technique. This recipe delivers a sauce that clings beautifully to pasta, tastes even better the next day, and fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Unlike rushed sauces, this one is slow-simmered, allowing the meat, tomatoes, aromatics, and herbs to meld into a perfectly balanced, restaurant-quality sauce that feels like it came straight from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.

This guide covers everything: ingredient choices, simmering secrets, serving ideas, storage tips, and flavor variations.

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What Makes This Sauce Truly “Classic”

• Combination of beef and pork
• Slow sautéed aromatics
• Tomato-forward but meat-rich
• Gentle simmer for depth
• Simple herbs, no overpowering spices

Classic doesn’t mean boring — it means timeless and perfected.

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INGREDIENTS

Italian Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 carrot, finely minced
• 1 celery stalk, finely minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp sugar
• ¼ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Optional Enhancements

• Red pepper flakes
• Splash of red wine
• Parmesan rind for simmering

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrot, and celery; cook until softened, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add ground beef and pork; cook until browned, breaking up meat.
5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
6. Pour in crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and sugar.
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Stir in milk and simmer another 10 minutes.
9. Finish with fresh basil and adjust seasoning.
10. Serve hot over pasta or use in layered dishes.

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Why Milk Makes a Difference

Adding milk softens acidity, tenderizes the meat, and gives the sauce a luxurious, rounded finish without tasting creamy.

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Best Pasta Pairings

• Spaghetti
• Tagliatelle
• Rigatoni
• Pappardelle
• Lasagna sheets

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Make It Your Own

• Add mushrooms for extra umami
• Use all beef or all pork
• Add red wine for depth
• Simmer up to 2 hours for richer flavor

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Storage & Freezing Tips

• Refrigerate up to 5 days
• Freeze up to 3 months
• Flavor improves after resting overnight

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the soffritto
• Cooking at high heat
• Under-seasoning early
• Rushing the simmer

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