Easy One-Pot Meat Sauce

A Simple & Satisfying Meal 🍝✨

There’s nothing better than a hearty, homemade meat sauce simmering on the stove—it’s rich, flavorful, and so comforting. But what if I told you that you can make a delicious, one-pot meat sauce meal with minimal effort and easy cleanup?

This One-Pot Meat Sauce is the ultimate weeknight dinner—it comes together in under an hour, uses simple pantry ingredients, and fills your home with the most amazing aroma. Serve it over pasta, zucchini noodles, or even roasted vegetables for a versatile and satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Meat Sauce

✔ Easy & One-Pot – Less cleanup and maximum flavor.✔ Rich & Hearty – A deep, slow-cooked taste in a fraction of the time.✔ Perfect for Meal Prep – Freezes beautifully for quick dinners.✔ Customizable – Swap the meat, add veggies, or make it spicy!

The Recipe: Easy One-Pot Meat Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix)

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (or fire-roasted for extra flavor)

• Or a jar of marinara sauce (makes it even easier)

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity)

• ½ cup beef or chicken broth or red wine (for depth of flavor)

📌 Optional Add-Ins:

• Mushrooms – Add for extra umami.

• Carrots & Celery – Dice and sauté for a more classic Bolognese-style sauce.

• Heavy Cream or Parmesan Cheese – Stir in at the end for a creamy, rich sauce.

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics

• Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

• Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.

• Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

2. Brown the Meat

• Add the ground beef or sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.

• Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.

• Drain excess fat if necessary.

3. Add Tomatoes & Seasonings

• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.

• Pour in the beef broth or red wine for extra depth of flavor.

4. Simmer & Develop Flavor

• Add dried pasta and cook in the pot. simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you do not have enough liquid, simply add more broth! I love cooking the pasta in the sauce, it makes it so flavorful.

• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

📌 Pro Tip: The longer it simmers, the better the flavor! If you have extra time, let it go for 45–60 minutes.

5. Serve & Enjoy!

• Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

How to Make This a Full One-Pot Meal

🍝 Cook the Pasta in the Sauce: Add 2 cups of water and uncooked pasta directly into the sauce. Cover and simmer until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

🥘 Make it a Skillet Bake: Transfer the sauce to an oven-safe skillet, top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and broil until bubbly.

🥒 Serve Over Veggies: Spoon over roasted spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Meal Prep & Freezing Tips

🥶 Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.🔥 Freeze: Let the sauce cool, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months.🍲 Reheat: Warm on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.

Why This One-Pot Meat Sauce is a Must-Try

This easy, rich, and hearty meat sauce is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd. It’s simple, versatile, and packed with flavor, making it a go-to comfort meal you’ll want to make again and again.

If you try this recipe, tag me on Instagram @Weeknight_Homemaker—I’d love to see your delicious creations!

Happy cooking!

Lauren 💕

The Weeknight Homemaker