Meaty Pasta Sauce
This meat sauce is absolutely stunning. It's filled with that rich umami flavor, that makes the mouth feel full as well as the tummy. It's perfect for a rainy day or when you need that comforting warmth.
Serves 4-5 people. Takes approx 35-40 minutes with prep.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of peeled San Marzano Tomatoes (whole)
- 1 Anaheim pepper
- 1/2 white onion
- 4 large cloves of garlic
- 1 lb ground beef (90/10 or 80/20)
- 1 lb mild italian sausage
- 3 oz (half can) tomato paste or ~2 tbs.
- 2 tbs soy sauce
- 1/2 to 1 tbs sugar
- Herb and Spice Mix(all of these are dried-which is all I had) :
- 2 tbs Italian Seasoning(salt free), 1 tbs Basil, 1/2 tbs Oregano, 1/2 tsp Chili Flake, 1 dash Cayenne Pepper, 1/2tsp Smoked Paprika.
-Salt and pepper
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Method:
It's so easy and delicious, it should be illegal! Finely dice your onion, Anaheim pepper and garlic. Get a large pot over medium heat and coat the bottom in oil, not standing oil, just get it covered 2-3 tbs. Add in your onion and pepper, add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Saute for approximatly 3-4 minutes or until translucent. Add in your garlic. Saute an additional 2 minutes. Add in your meat, all of it! Cook thoroughly while chopping up the meet vigorously with a wooden spoon. Brown the meat.
In a separate medium sized bowl, something with high edges. Empty out our can of tomatoes and with a clean hand squish the tomatoes and break them up. Mix as much as you like! Maybe think about the stresses of the pandemic while you squash those 'maters.
One the meat is cooked, add in your herp and spice mixture and mix well into the meat. Let this cook for about two minutes. The fat in the meat is going to reactivate the herbs and help bind the flavors to the meat. Add in the tomato paste now as well and mix very well. All the meat should turn dark murderous red.
Once well coated add in your tomatoes. Scrape every drop from that bowl of those San Marzano's.
Into your pot add roughtly 1/2 tsp of salt and a few good cracks of pepper. Mix well.
Mix in also your sugar and soy sauce. I know, salt and soy? Soy sauce in an italian dish? Soy sauce is deep and rich, full of that umami or full-mouth feel. Mix it all in.
Let come to a simmer and lower the heat to LOW. Cover with a lid and let sit for 5 minutes. Mix well and taste. What does it need? a tad more salt? Adjust as needed for your family.
Serve over rigatoni or spaghetti pasta and for an extra level of flavor, add a dollop of sour cream when serving. It's delicious! Enjoy.
Drink your water.