You’re going to love this 20 Minutes Meat Sauce! Imagine coming home after a long day and whipping up a delicious meal in no time. This recipe is designed for those who crave a hearty, satisfying dish but don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s packed with flavor!
Jump to:
By using just a few fresh ingredients and a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, you can create a warm, comforting meal that everyone will enjoy. It’s the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with enticing aromas and makes you feel right at home. Plus, you can customize it to your taste, whether you prefer a bit more spice or an extra serving of veggies. So, roll up those sleeves, grab your pans, and let’s jump into the exciting world of making a magical meat sauce that packs a punch, all within 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This 20 Minutes Meat Sauce
This 20 Minutes Meat Sauce exceeds typical expectations for weeknight meals. First off, it’s simple yet packed with flavor. The combination of sautéed aromatics, perfectly cooked ground beef, and rich marinara sauce creates a symphony of taste that appeals to both kids and adults alike.
You can also feel good about the ingredients. They’re fresh, wholesome, and make it easy to sneak in some vegetables without anyone noticing. Plus, who doesn’t love a dish that comes together in a flash? This recipe has you covered for those busy nights when you need a delicious option without the fuss.
What is a 20 Minutes Meat Sauce
A 20 Minutes Meat Sauce is a quick and tasty sauce made with ground beef, herbs, and spices, simmered with marinara sauce, and complemented by fresh vegetables. This sauce combines everything you love about traditional meat sauce but streamlines the process to fit your busy lifestyle. With just 20 minutes of cooking time, you can create a homemade meal bursting with flavor while keeping things easy and stress-free.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients for your flavorful meat sauce:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 8-ounce package baby Bella mushrooms, finely diced (optional)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes (more as desired)
- 1 24-ounce jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 green or red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 zucchini, diced (about 1 cup)
- Fresh Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Hot pepper flakes, for garnish
- Ricotta cheese, for garnish
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Gathering these ingredients will set the stage for a delicious journey into meat sauce goodness!
Sauté the Aromatics
First, heat the extra virgin olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent. This will only take about 2 minutes. You’ll notice the aroma fills the kitchen and sets the perfect backdrop for your sauce.
Add Fresh Vegetables
Now, it’s time to add some color and nutrition. Toss in the finely diced mushrooms, bell pepper, and zucchini. Sauté these fresh veggies for an additional 3-4 minutes. This cooking process allows them to soften and contribute to a rich flavor while adding essential nutrients. Stir occasionally, letting those vibrant colors shine!
Cook the Ground Beef
Next, push those sautéed veggies to the side of the skillet, creating space for the ground beef. Add the pound of ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook the beef until it’s browned and fully cooked, which usually takes about 5-6 minutes. Make sure to season it with salt and black pepper while cooking to enhance the flavors.
Spice it Up
Once your beef is cooked, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and hot pepper flakes. This is where the magic starts to happen. Mixing these spices with the meat creates a deeper flavor. You can adjust the amount of hot pepper flakes based on how spicy you like your meat sauce. Stir everything together to let those flavors mingle for about a minute.
Add the Sauce
Now comes the fun part—adding the sauce! Pour in that jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Stir everything together, ensuring the vegetables and spices are well incorporated into the sauce. This step brings everything together beautifully.
Simmer for Perfection
Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for about 5-8 minutes. This simmering time lets the flavors meld and intensify, creating a delicious meat sauce that will have everyone asking for more. Stir occasionally, making sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the skillet.
Serving Suggestions
Once your meat sauce is ready, it’s time to serve! It pairs wonderfully with classic spaghetti or any pasta you love. Top your dish with grated fresh Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of hot pepper flakes for an extra kick, and a dollop of ricotta for creaminess. For a fresh touch, don’t forget to garnish with basil leaves.
Looking for a low-carb option? Try it over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. You’ll love how versatile and satisfying this sauce can be!
Tips for Success
A few tips can help make this recipe a hit every time. First, always taste your sauce before serving. Adjust the seasoning if necessary—everyone’s palate is different. Additionally, fresh ingredients make a big difference. Whenever possible, choose fresh vegetables.
Keep it fun by involving family or friends. Cooking is always more enjoyable with company, and everyone’s input can lead you to an even better dish!
Variations
Feel free to play around! You might try using ground turkey instead of beef to lighten things up. Or mix in other vegetables like carrots or spinach for added nutrition. You can also add different types of cheese or even swap the sauce for a homemade version if you have the time.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey is a great alternative and will work well in this meat sauce recipe.
2. Is it possible to make this sauce vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can skip the meat and add more vegetables or lentils for a hearty vegetarian version.
3. How can I store leftovers?
Let the meat sauce cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
4. What types of pasta go well with this meat sauce?
This meat sauce pairs well with spaghetti, penne, or any pasta of your choice. It’s also delicious served over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb option.
5. Can I prepare this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meat sauce ahead of time and reheat it on the stove when ready to serve. It also tastes great as leftovers!
This 20 Minutes Meat Sauce not only solves your weeknight dinner dilemma but guarantees satisfaction with every bite. Enjoy the process and the delicious outcome!
More Easy Lunch & Dinner ideas Recipes:
- Cream Of Mushroom Chicken
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Potatoes
- Pioneer Woman Corned Beef Hash
- Breakfast Skillet
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
Print
20 Minutes Meat Sauce
This 20 Minutes Meat Sauce is a perfect weeknight solution, combining fresh ingredients and rich flavors. Easy to make and customize for any taste!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 8-ounce package baby Bella mushrooms, finely diced (optional)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes (more as desired)
- 1 24-ounce jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 green or red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 zucchini, diced (about 1 cup)
- Fresh Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Hot pepper flakes, for garnish
- Ricotta cheese, for garnish
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add mushrooms, bell pepper, and zucchini; sauté for 3-4 minutes.
- Push veggies aside; add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Season beef with salt and pepper; add Italian seasoning and hot pepper flakes.
- Pour in spaghetti sauce; stir well.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5-8 minutes.
- Serve with pasta; top with cheese and garnish.
Notes
Taste the sauce before serving to adjust seasoning as needed.
Using fresh ingredients enhances the dish’s flavor.
Involve family or friends in the cooking process for added fun.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 80
