Super Easy Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef {paleo + whole30}

This easy marinara sauce with ground beef is a healthy, short cut version of a classic full flavored Italian meat sauce that is ready in 30 minutes flat! All the flavor with minimal effort for an easy protein rich addition to any meal. Makes 4 generous cups of sauce, which is the perfect amount for one pound of pasta. Gluten free, paleo, and whole30 compatible.

The best meat sauce

We are OBSESSED with this marinara sauce with ground beef.

It is our go to meat sauce recipe that’s absolutely perfect served with pasta, ravioli, lasagna, spaghetti squash, cauliflower gnocchi, or even over sautéed greens or a roasted sweet potato for a Paleo / Whole30 friendly option!

It’s so versatile, easy to make, and healthy, that it has quickly become a staple for weeknight dinners around our house.

Lately I’ve been focusing on highlighting easy to follow dinner recipes that you will LOVE and make again and again.

Because honestly what’s better than healthy AND delicious food that is ALSO easy to make?!

And I think this one falls directly into the trifecta of those three categories.

This shortcut bolognese is ready in about 30 minutes, which gives you just enough time to prep what you’re serving it with, toss together a simple green salad, and pop open a bottle of wine.

Weeknight dinner goals (that also makes seriously crave-able lunch leftovers for the next day – just sayin’)!

Why you’ll love this homemade marinara with ground beef

It is:

• Easy to make
• Full of Italian flavor
• Bold and hearty
• Ready in just 30 minutes
• Gluten free, dairy free, Paleo, and Whole30 compatible
• Cozy comfort food
• Healthy and nutrient dense
• So delicious!

Ingredients and substitutions

You can find the full list of ingredients along with measurements in the recipe card below. These are my ingredient notes and recommendations for easy swaps.

• Ground beef – Ground beef is our preferred meat to make Italian style meat sauce. But you could easily substitute it with another option like ground turkey or ground chicken. For a richer sauce try using 1/2 ground pork and 1/2 ground beef!
• Olive oil – To sauté the aromatics and spices. Another cooking oil like avocado oil, coconut oil, or ghee can all be used instead.
• Aromatics – Finely chopped onion and minced garlic help create a deep, flavorful base for this sauce recipe.
• Simple seasoning blend – A small amount of dried oregano, dried basil, and a pinch of (optional) chili flakes, really bolsters the flavor! Italian seasoning can be used instead of the individual spices.
• Marinara sauce – To cut down on cooking time and still create a truly flavorful tasting sauce, I love using a jarred marinara sauce in place of canned tomatoes. Make sure to look for a sauce that is sugar free and free of inflammatory vegetable oils to keep this recipe Paleo and Whole30 compatible.
• Red wine vinegar – Just a tiny amount of red wine vinegar helps to marry the flavors of all the other ingredients in this recipe, and actually balances the acidity. By the time you serve it all of the vinegar flavor will have evaporated.

What else can you add to meat sauce?

If you feel like adding a few extra ingredients to this recipe to make it your own you totally can!

Finely diced vegetables like carrots, celery, fennel, and mushrooms would all be delicious.

Wilting some baby spinach, kale, or chard into the sauce just before serving would be a delightful way to get your greens in.

And an extra shake of your favorite Italian spices would be wonderful, too!

How to make this easy marinara sauce with ground beef

This sauce comes together quickly in just one skillet! All you need to make it is a cutting board, knife, some measuring spoons, a large skillet, and a spatula!

If you’re ready to start cooking you can find the whole recipe in the recipe card below.

• Cook aromatics. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add diced onion with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and starting to caramelize. Add garlic and dried spices – oregano, basil, and dried chili if using, and cook for another minute or so, until spices are fragrant. 
• Add ground beef. Move onions to the side of the pan and add ground beef, pressing into a thin layer. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook, breaking up meat and stirring in onions and garlic, until meat is cooked through and the extra moisture has evaporated.
• Add marinara sauce and finish the sauce. Add marinara sauce and red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer until sauce is reduced slightly and flavors have married.
• Serve and enjoy! Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve over your favorite pasta, roasted sweet potatoes, or spiralized veggie noodles.

And, VIOLA! Crazy delicious, healthy, SUPER DUPER EASY marinara sauce with ground beef is served.

What to serve with this easy marinara sauce

There’s so many ways to enjoy a hearty meat sauce!

It’s delicious paired with the obvious choice of spaghetti, ravioli, lasagna, or really any pasta shape!

But for a Paleo / Whole30 option is equally delicious served with:

• Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi
• Spiralized vegetable noodles 
• Spaghetti squash
• Sautéed or steamed hearty greens 
• Roasted sweet potatoes or a baked potato
• Fried eggs and a little arugula salad 

By making a big batch of this super easy marinara sauce with ground beef over the weekend or at the start of your week, you can set yourself up for a whole week’s worth of healthy dinner + lunch options.

How to make a large batch

As written this recipe makes about 4 generous cups of sauce (depending on how much you reduce it).

If you want to make a larger quantity of this meat sauce for meal prep, or to store some in the freezer, all you have to do is double or triple the recipe!

There is a button on the recipe card that allows you to easily 2x or 3x the ingredient quantities.

You will also want to make sure to use a large enough pot if you increase the recipe size.

If doubling or tripling the recipe I would suggest using a 5 or 6 quart dutch oven instead of a large skillet.

How long will meat sauce keep in the fridge?

If you’d like to make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator it should keep for 4-5 days in a sealed container.

Storage and reheating

To reheat: This sauce can easily be re-heated in the microwave or over low heat on the stove top in a skillet.

To store in the refrigerator: Allow it to cool completely and transfer to an air tight container before moving to the fridge. It should keep for up to 4-5 days.

To freeze: Allow to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 4 months. To thaw, move to the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Love this healthy meat sauce? Try these other healthy dinner recipes!

• Buffalo Chicken Pasta
• Whole30 Chicken Patties
• Classic Whole30 Meatloaf
• Gluten Free Meatballs
• Baked Whole30 Garlic Herb Turkey Meatballs
• Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers

If you enjoyed this recipe we’d love it if you would take 5 seconds to rate and review it below! It’s also super helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe. Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK! We’re so grateful you’re here.

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