Spaghetti Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes And Ground Beef
Spaghetti sauce is a staple in many households, but making it from scratch can seem daunting. However, with fresh ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a delicious and flavorful spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes and ground beef. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, and it's sure to impress. Here's how to make it.
Ingredients:
For this recipe, you'll need:
- 4-5 ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup beef broth (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute or two, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces. Cook the beef until it is browned all over, stirring occasionally.
- Once the beef is browned, add the chopped tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- If you're using tomato paste, add it now and stir it into the sauce.
- If you're using red wine or beef broth, add it now and stir it into the sauce. The liquid will add depth and richness to the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavorful it will become.
- Once the sauce has simmered for at least 30 minutes, give it a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it's too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance it out.
- Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and enjoy!
Tips:
- If you don't have fresh tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes instead. Just be sure to drain them before adding them to the pot.
- If you want to make the sauce ahead of time, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- If you want to make the sauce vegetarian, you can omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- If you want to make the sauce spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeno pepper.
- If you have leftovers, the sauce can be used as a base for pizza or as a topping for baked potatoes.
Conclusion:
Making spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes and ground beef is easier than you might think, and the results are delicious. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a flavorful and hearty sauce that's perfect for any occasion. Give it a try and see for yourself!