This easy marinara sauce with ground beef is a wholesome, 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 addition to any meal. Makes 4 generous cups of sauce, which is the perfect amount for one pound of pasta!
Our absolute favorite meat sauce that we make all the time!
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 fast, that it has long been 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 wholesome AND delicious food that is ALSO easy to make?!
And I think this one falls directly into the trifecta of those three categories.
By sautéing the onions, garlic, and spices in olive oil before adding the ground beef and marinara sauce, you’re giving a store-bought sauce a little extra oomph of the best kind of flavor.
This shortcut pasta sauce 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’)!
🌿 Love a yummy pasta sauce as much as we do? Be sure to peek at our recipes for Dairy Free Vodka Pasta Sauce, 5-Minute Pistachio Basil Pesto, and a Quick Pasta with Homemade Romesco Sauce!
What else can you add to this 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, zucchini, celery, fennel, and mushrooms would all be delicious, and can be sautéed at the same time as the onion.
Wilting some baby spinach, kale, or chard into the sauce just before serving would be a delightful way to get add something green.
And an extra shake of your favorite Italian spices would be wonderful, too!
How to make this easy marinara sauce with ground beef
How to make a large batch
As written this recipe makes about 4 generous cups of sauce.
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 the recipe!
There is a button on the recipe card that allows you to easily 2x the ingredient quantities.
You will want to make sure to use a large enough skillet 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.
If you enjoyed this meat sauce we’d love it if you would take a moment to rate and review it below! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It’s also a great place to get your questions answered, and 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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Super Easy Marinara Sauce with Ground Beef – 30 Minutes!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: about 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This easy marinara sauce with ground beef is a wholesome, 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 addition to any meal. Makes 4 generous cups of sauce, which is the perfect amount for one pound of pasta!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced small
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3–4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 25 oz jar marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook aromatics. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add diced onion with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, 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 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, breaking up meat and stirring in onions and garlic, until meat is cooked through and the extra moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
- 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 for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, 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, lasagna, ravioli, roasted sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, greens, or spiralized veggie noodles.
Notes
This recipe makes 4 generous cups of sauce, which is the perfect amount for 1 pound of pasta.
If you want to make a larger quantity 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 above that allows you to easily 2x or 3x the ingredient quantities. If doubling or tripling the recipe I would suggest using a 5 or 6 quart dutch oven instead of a large skillet.
It should keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for 3-4 days.
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.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Italian
Ray says
Can I substitute the red wine vinegar for something else
Nyssa Tanner says
Absolutely! I’m sorry if I missed this comment before you made the recipe, but you could substitute it with another vinegar – apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. It can also be left out if you’d prefer 🙂 – Nyssa
Aleisha says
Turns out every time I use it, simple and delicious.
Nyssa Tanner says
Love to hear that, Aleisha! Happy cooking 🙂 – Nyssa