Homemade Meat Sauce (Perfect for Lasagna or Pasta)

Hearty homemade meat sauce for lasagna or pasta made with beef, sausage, tomato sauce and herbs. Rich, simple and full of flavor.

Skip the jar and make this homemade meat sauce for lasagna or your favorite pasta bake using ground beef, Italian sausage and tomato base.

It simmers low and slow into a hearty, flavorful sauce that clings beautifully to pasta or layers perfectly between lasagna noodles.

Why you’ll love this meat sauce

• Works for lasagna, spaghetti or baked ziti
• Deep, slow-cooked flavor in about an hour
• Uses everyday pantry ingredients
• Freezes beautifully for future meals

Get Recipe Ingredients

• Brown Meat: Place the beef and sausage in a pot on the stove over medium heat. Cook until browned through. Drain off the fat.

• Sauté Veggies: Add in the Worcestershire sauce, onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Sauté until tender.

• Simmer: Stir in the remaining ingredients. Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot, leaving a slight gap for steam to escape. Simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 22gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1618mgPotassium: 1154mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1466IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 81mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Be sure to rate it, leave a comment and save it so you can make it again. Show off your awesome results on social by tagging @girlscangrill

What you’ll need

• Ground Beef: I usually use ground brisket trimmings, but any pound of ground beef from the grocery store will work.
• Italian Sausage: Choose sweet Italian sausage or spicy sausage. Look for the sausage that is uncased.
• Veggies: I use yellow onion, bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Sometimes I toss in zucchini, too.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This is my father-in-law’s secret to adding rich umami. It really amps up the taste.
• Marinara Sauce: I usually use Rao’s because I like their clean ingredients.
• Canned Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes are fine.
• Beef Consommé: Or beef broth or beef stock.
• Tomato Paste
• Spices: kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano and bay leaves.

Substitutions: If you use fresh herbs, use 1 tablespoon of fresh for every teaspoon of dried herbs. 

See the full recipe card above for servings and a full list of ingredients.

How to make homemade meat sauce

Step 1: Brown the meat

Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a large pot over medium heat. Drain off the grease.

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon. You can decide if you want larger chunks or smaller pieces.

Step 2: Sauté the veggies

Add Worcestershire sauce and a variety of veggies like onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.

Step 3: Simmer the meat sauce

To the meat mixture, pour in a jar of marinara sauce along with cans of diced tomatoes, beef broth and tomato paste.

Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil and oregano. Add in bay leaves. Simmer over low heat for at least an hour.

PRO TIP: While it's simmering, cover the pot with a lid, but leave the lid cracked to release excess moisture. 

How to use this meat sauce

• Spread it between lasagna layers
• Toss with spaghetti, penne or rigatoni
• Use in baked ziti or stuffed shells
• Spoon over grilled chicken or vegetables

Try it in my Easy Lasagna Recipe — it keeps the noodles tender and the layers rich.

Storage

Store leftover meat sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also freeze up to three months, which is great when you want to whip up a quick dinner with homemade flavors.

Reheat slowly on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth.

Homemade spaghetti sauce also makes awesome gifts to give to friends and family.

Make a double batch and freeze half for an easy lasagna night later.