The Best Weeknight Pasta Sauce

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Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen on busy weeknights? This easy pasta sauce recipe is your new best friend. You can make a delicious homemade sauce in just 40 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

The secret to this sauce’s rich flavor is the combination of ground beef, onions, and butter. These ingredients create a savory base that pairs perfectly with crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. You’ll love how the flavors come together as the sauce simmers, filling your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty weeknight pasta sauce:

• 1/2 lb ground beef ($2.65)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.13)
• 1 small onion ($0.32)
• 2 Tbsp butter ($0.13)
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes ($0.89)
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning blend ($0.05)
• Freshly cracked pepper ($0.03)
• Salt, to taste ($0.02)

The recipe makes about 6 servings of 3/4 cup each. It’s budget-friendly too – the total cost is only $4.22!

Before you start cooking, gather all these ingredients. Having everything ready will make the process smoother.

Remember, you can adjust the seasonings to your taste. Feel free to add more Italian seasoning or pepper if you like.

This sauce is great over pasta, but don’t be afraid to try it with roasted veggies too. It’s yummy and versatile!

Instructions

Heat a pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 lb ground beef and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Cook for about 5 minutes until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.

Dice 1 small onion while the beef cooks. Add the onion and 2 Tbsp butter to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until the onion is soft and clear.

Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes. Add 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning and some black pepper (about 10-15 turns of a pepper mill). Stir well.

Cover the pot and let it start to bubble. Once bubbling, turn the heat to low. Let it cook for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add 1/2 tsp salt. Stir and taste. Add more salt if needed.

Your sauce is now ready! Serve it over pasta or veggies. This recipe makes about 6 servings of 3/4 cup each. The whole process takes about 40 minutes.

Tip: For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or red pepper flakes when you cook the onions.

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find all the ingredients for this tasty pasta sauce? No worries! Here are some easy swaps you can use:

Ground beef: Try ground turkey, pork, or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option.

Olive oil: Swap in canola or vegetable oil if that’s what you have on hand.

Onion: Red or white onions work great too. In a pinch, use 1 teaspoon of onion powder.

Butter: Margarine or extra olive oil can replace the butter.

For the crushed tomatoes, try these options:

• Whole canned tomatoes (crush them yourself)
• Tomato puree + 1/4 cup water
• Fresh tomatoes (peeled and diced)

No Italian seasoning? Mix these dried herbs:

• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1/8 tsp basil
• 1/8 tsp thyme

Fresh herbs are amazing if you have them! Use 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil, oregano, or parsley.

Remember, cooking is all about making it work with what you’ve got. Feel free to play around and make this sauce your own!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this pasta sauce more diabetes-friendly, try these simple tweaks:

Use lean ground beef (93% lean or higher) to reduce fat content. Drain any excess fat after cooking.

Replace butter with olive oil. This swap cuts saturated fat and adds heart-healthy fats.

Add extra veggies like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots. They boost fiber and nutrients without many carbs.

Skip added salt. Instead, use herbs and spices for flavor. Try basil, oregano, or garlic powder.

Serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta. This lowers the carb count significantly.

Portion control is key. Aim for about 1/2 cup of sauce per serving.

Consider these optional add-ins:

• 1/4 cup red wine (adds depth without sugar)
• 2 cloves minced garlic (boosts flavor)
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (enhances taste)

When cooking, follow the original instructions. Just make the swaps mentioned above.

Remember to check with your doctor or dietitian about how this recipe fits into your meal plan. They can give personalized advice for your needs.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make your sauce extra tasty by using high-quality crushed tomatoes. The better the tomatoes, the better your sauce will be!

Try adding a splash of red wine while the sauce simmers. This gives it a richer flavor. Just a quarter cup can make a big difference.

Don’t rush the simmering process. Let the sauce bubble gently for at least 30 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together nicely.

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

To reheat, put the sauce in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a little water if it seems too thick. Stir often until it’s hot all the way through.

For a vegetarian version, skip the ground beef and add some chopped mushrooms instead. They give a nice meaty texture without the meat.

Serve your sauce over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb meal. It’s just as yummy and much lighter than pasta!