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olive garden meat sauce recipe

Olive Garden Meat Sauce Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/2 lb (225g) mild Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, finely grated
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) dry red wine
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley, for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat the 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add the 1 lb ground beef and 1/2 lb Italian sausage, breaking apart and browning for 8 to 10 minutes until no pink remains. Drain most of the fat, leaving about 1 tbsp.
  2. Add the diced onion and grated carrot, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the onion is translucent. Stir in the 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp oregano, and 1 tsp basil. Cook 1 more minute.
  3. Push the mixture aside, add the 2 tbsp tomato paste to the cleared surface, and cook for 1 minute until it darkens. Stir through, then pour in the 1/2 cup red wine, scraping up the browned bits. Reduce for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir in the 1/2 cup whole milk and cook for 2 more minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Ladle over pasta in a wide shallow bowl, tear fresh basil over the top, and finish with a grating of Parmesan.

Notes

This sauce tastes noticeably better on day 2, so it's worth making the night before if you have time. If you're doubling the recipe, give it an extra 10 to 15 minutes of simmering time uncovered at the end to account for the higher volume. Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months in a sealed container.