Pasta And Easy Italian Meat Sauce Recipe

Back to Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce All Reviews for Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce - of Reviews Reviews: Most Helpful Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Gallery Read the full recipe after the video. Recipe Summary prep: 15 mins total: 30 mins Servings: 4 Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce

Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 4 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 carrot, grated (about 1/2 cup) 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 3/4 pound ground beef 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes 1/2 cup milk 1 dried bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 pound fettuccine Grated Parmesan, for serving

Cook’s Notes Reserve some of the pasta cooking water, and add a little to the sauce if it seems too thick. The water is ideal for adjusting the consistency of the sauce, and the starch in the water helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.

Gallery Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary prep: 15 mins total: 30 mins Servings: 4 Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce

Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary prep: 15 mins total: 30 mins Servings: 4

Recipe Summary

prep: 15 mins total: 30 mins

Servings: 4

prep: 15 mins

total: 30 mins

prep:

15 mins

total:

30 mins

Servings: 4

Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 carrot, grated (about 1/2 cup) 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 3/4 pound ground beef 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes 1/2 cup milk 1 dried bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 pound fettuccine Grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium. Stir in carrot, onion, and garlic. Add ground beef, and cook until it turns from pink to brown, about 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes and their liquid, crushing them with the back of a large spoon. Stir in milk, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions, about 12 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain fettuccine, and return to the warm pot. Add meat sauce, and toss. Add pasta water as needed if the sauce seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan.

Cook’s Notes

Reserve some of the pasta cooking water, and add a little to the sauce if it seems too thick. The water is ideal for adjusting the consistency of the sauce, and the starch in the water helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.

Reviews (25)

 Add Rating & Review     253 Ratings   5 star values:        43    4 star values:        55    3 star values:        95    2 star values:        47    1 star values:        13

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Reviews (25)

Add Rating & Review     253 Ratings   5 star values:        43    4 star values:        55    3 star values:        95    2 star values:        47    1 star values:        13

Add Rating & Review

253 Ratings 5 star values: 43 4 star values: 55 3 star values: 95 2 star values: 47 1 star values: 13

5 star values: 43 4 star values: 55 3 star values: 95 2 star values: 47 1 star values: 13

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       01/21/2015   A greasy mess, sadly. I even halved the butter called for. It was so unappetizing!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: 5 stars       09/20/2014   I have made this twice and everyone LOVES it. My family says this is the best spaghetti sauce I have ever made. The recipe is super easy & quick. I make this now when my sons show up with a whole crew of friends who are hungry. I will try it with some italian sausage in it next time just to see. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: 4 stars       08/02/2012   I really enjoyed the flavors of this sauce. For something that simmers 20 minutes I felt it was a great option for a quick dinner after work. The leftovers the next day were awesome! www.cookeverydayfood.com  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       06/20/2010   I just made this and it came out very nice!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       06/14/2010   Everyone really liked this dish. I also took the suggestions and added a small can of tomato paste... I did have to add a little of the pasta water. But - I will make it the same way next time. I added some basil. Very yummy - it is on the keep list.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       06/09/2010   This turned out really well! I followed some of the suggestions of others - a little more nutmeg, a tin of tomato paste - and the results were great. Would definitely make this again.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       03/24/2010   This was so good, I had to come back and get the recipe to make it again! It's very simple. I left out the nutmeg (not a fan), and this go-round I'll be adding a bit more tomatoes and bought low-fat ground beef to use. It was very fatty the first time. Perhaps ground turkey would be good as well.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/08/2008   This was SO good. I did a lot more seasonng cause that's what I do. I added more nutmeg, 2 sage leaves, oregano, basil, tarragon, crushed red pepper. I would like it to be a little more tomatoey - maybe with some tomato paste, But really so good.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       10/12/2008   This turned out great! We used farfelle pasta instead of fettuccine. My boyfriend loved it!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       08/28/2008   Love this pasta, it has become a staple in our home. Quick and easy.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       06/29/2008   I loved this! It is easy and makes a lot for lunch or dinner the next day. I added a couple more things like salt and pepper, red pepper flake and some grated parm and it was awesome.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       03/25/2008   sorry that some of you didn't like this. Hard to compare a 30 minutes sauce with the real deal but I think adding some red-pepper flakes, wine, enough salt, and Parm would make everyone happier.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       03/14/2008   This was nothing like I know of this sauce. I altered it. You need a true trinity, carrot, onion and celery to start, finely chopped, 2 cups full mixed, then garlic. Next should be a mixture of sausage and beef. Before adding tomato there should have been a good wine, simmered and reduced, then tomato puree, not whole tomatoes. After simmering 20 min the milk (or cream) goes in to sweeten the sauce and simmer till reduced. Adding chopped basil at the end adds to the flavor as does the wine.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       01/27/2008   I also found this recipe very bland, with not much flavor.I felt it needed more tomatoes,sauce or something. I shared with my adult children who thought it was okay. I've never had a Martha recipe that I wasn't thrilled with. I tossed the recipe in my paper recycling.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       01/08/2008   Bland Indeed! This was so much fun to make, the ingredients held so much promise, but fell completely flat in the end. I went back to the pot and added another clove of garlic another small handful of salt and 3/4 can of tomato paste to add some punch. Needs more improvements. Maybe italian sausage? Hey Martha!?  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       01/02/2008   Very bland. Was nothing like what I was expecting. Is more like a chili without the chili powder.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       12/19/2007   As with my daughter she hates onion, she'll find the tiniest little bit and spit it out...mind you she is 27yr old. So just after I've added the tomatoes, just whiz it with a hand held wand/bamix and wha...la no onion. You need to keep the onions because when the onions cook they caramalise and sweeten and reduce the acid in the tomatoes. Hope you find this helpful.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       12/17/2007   Not a favorite. We didn't think it had enough tomatoes. It was good, but missing something.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       12/16/2007   This is one of my weekly staples when it comes to dinner. So easy and delicious! My family and frieinds LOVE It. One thing....I don't like onions, so I reduce the onion by at least half, you may want to reduce the oil and butter if you aren't going to use the correct amount of veggies. First time I made this, it was quite oily. Now that I've got it down, it's awesome!  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/28/2007   This recipe looks delicious and I plan to try it this week. I've followed other recipes in the past, and I thought the meat was simmered in the milk, and then the other ingredients were added? (just making sure I get the taste right).  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/28/2007   easiest dinner i have ever done and everybody liked it  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/27/2007   We had this for dinner tonight and it was great. Even the kids liked it. I used non-fat milk but I think next time I would use whole or half and half. It was also a little watery so I would put in less of the juice from the tomatoes and add it in as needed.  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/27/2007   WOW! I absolutely loved this sauce, Martha. I had some time off from work and decided to make something special. Used your sauce with my homemade pasta and it was delish! Thanks so much! Johnny Yeung - Toronto, Ontario  

Martha Stewart Member     Rating: Unrated       11/27/2007   real good

Martha Stewart Member

Rating: Unrated 01/21/2015

A greasy mess, sadly. I even halved the butter called for. It was so unappetizing!

Rating: Unrated

Rating: 5 stars 09/20/2014

I have made this twice and everyone LOVES it. My family says this is the best spaghetti sauce I have ever made. The recipe is super easy & quick. I make this now when my sons show up with a whole crew of friends who are hungry. I will try it with some italian sausage in it next time just to see. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars

Rating: 4 stars 08/02/2012

I really enjoyed the flavors of this sauce. For something that simmers 20 minutes I felt it was a great option for a quick dinner after work. The leftovers the next day were awesome! www.cookeverydayfood.com

Rating: 4 stars

Rating: Unrated 06/20/2010

I just made this and it came out very nice!

Rating: Unrated 06/14/2010

Everyone really liked this dish. I also took the suggestions and added a small can of tomato paste… I did have to add a little of the pasta water. But - I will make it the same way next time. I added some basil. Very yummy - it is on the keep list.

Rating: Unrated 06/09/2010

This turned out really well! I followed some of the suggestions of others - a little more nutmeg, a tin of tomato paste - and the results were great. Would definitely make this again.

Rating: Unrated 03/24/2010

This was so good, I had to come back and get the recipe to make it again! It’s very simple. I left out the nutmeg (not a fan), and this go-round I’ll be adding a bit more tomatoes and bought low-fat ground beef to use. It was very fatty the first time. Perhaps ground turkey would be good as well.

Rating: Unrated 11/08/2008

This was SO good. I did a lot more seasonng cause that’s what I do. I added more nutmeg, 2 sage leaves, oregano, basil, tarragon, crushed red pepper. I would like it to be a little more tomatoey - maybe with some tomato paste, But really so good.

Rating: Unrated 10/12/2008

This turned out great! We used farfelle pasta instead of fettuccine. My boyfriend loved it!

Rating: Unrated 08/28/2008

Love this pasta, it has become a staple in our home. Quick and easy.

Rating: Unrated 06/29/2008

I loved this! It is easy and makes a lot for lunch or dinner the next day. I added a couple more things like salt and pepper, red pepper flake and some grated parm and it was awesome.

Rating: Unrated 03/25/2008

sorry that some of you didn’t like this. Hard to compare a 30 minutes sauce with the real deal but I think adding some red-pepper flakes, wine, enough salt, and Parm would make everyone happier.

Rating: Unrated 03/14/2008

This was nothing like I know of this sauce. I altered it. You need a true trinity, carrot, onion and celery to start, finely chopped, 2 cups full mixed, then garlic. Next should be a mixture of sausage and beef. Before adding tomato there should have been a good wine, simmered and reduced, then tomato puree, not whole tomatoes. After simmering 20 min the milk (or cream) goes in to sweeten the sauce and simmer till reduced. Adding chopped basil at the end adds to the flavor as does the wine.

Rating: Unrated 01/27/2008

I also found this recipe very bland, with not much flavor.I felt it needed more tomatoes,sauce or something. I shared with my adult children who thought it was okay. I’ve never had a Martha recipe that I wasn’t thrilled with. I tossed the recipe in my paper recycling.

Rating: Unrated 01/08/2008

Bland Indeed! This was so much fun to make, the ingredients held so much promise, but fell completely flat in the end. I went back to the pot and added another clove of garlic another small handful of salt and 3/4 can of tomato paste to add some punch. Needs more improvements. Maybe italian sausage? Hey Martha!?

Rating: Unrated 01/02/2008

Very bland. Was nothing like what I was expecting. Is more like a chili without the chili powder.

Rating: Unrated 12/19/2007

As with my daughter she hates onion, she’ll find the tiniest little bit and spit it out…mind you she is 27yr old. So just after I’ve added the tomatoes, just whiz it with a hand held wand/bamix and wha…la no onion. You need to keep the onions because when the onions cook they caramalise and sweeten and reduce the acid in the tomatoes. Hope you find this helpful.

Rating: Unrated 12/17/2007

Not a favorite. We didn’t think it had enough tomatoes. It was good, but missing something.

Rating: Unrated 12/16/2007

This is one of my weekly staples when it comes to dinner. So easy and delicious! My family and frieinds LOVE It. One thing….I don’t like onions, so I reduce the onion by at least half, you may want to reduce the oil and butter if you aren’t going to use the correct amount of veggies. First time I made this, it was quite oily. Now that I’ve got it down, it’s awesome!

Rating: Unrated 11/28/2007

This recipe looks delicious and I plan to try it this week. I’ve followed other recipes in the past, and I thought the meat was simmered in the milk, and then the other ingredients were added? (just making sure I get the taste right).

easiest dinner i have ever done and everybody liked it

Rating: Unrated 11/27/2007

We had this for dinner tonight and it was great. Even the kids liked it. I used non-fat milk but I think next time I would use whole or half and half. It was also a little watery so I would put in less of the juice from the tomatoes and add it in as needed.

WOW! I absolutely loved this sauce, Martha. I had some time off from work and decided to make something special. Used your sauce with my homemade pasta and it was delish! Thanks so much! Johnny Yeung - Toronto, Ontario

real good

All Reviews for Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce

of Reviews Reviews: Most Helpful Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

All Reviews for Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce

of Reviews
Reviews: Most Helpful Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful     Most Positive     Least Positive     Newest

Gallery#

Recipe Summary#

Ingredients#

Directions#

Cook’s Notes#

Reviews (25)#

All Reviews for Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce#

Gallery

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Cook’s Notes

Reviews (25)

All Reviews for Pasta and Easy Italian Meat Sauce