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What’s better than a rich and hearty, comforting meat sauce to spoon atop a big bowl of noodles? This easy, mostly homemade paleo meat sauce tastes like you spent all day making it. It’s even better the best day! Paleo meat sauce is a versatile recipe with which you can get creative and throw in herbs you have on hand and serve over pasta alternative of your choice.
Speaking of pasta alternatives, if you’re a pasta lover who’s cut out refined, high carb pastas, you’ve probably ventured into the world of paleo pastas. We have so many options these days!
- spaghetti squash “noodles.” See mine below.
- spiralized zucchini “zoodles” or sweet potato noodles. Spoodles?
- zero carb miracle noodles (shiritaki noodles)
- hearts of palm linguine
- chick pea pasta
- lentil pasta
- paleo pastas. These are made with sweet potato.
- brown rice pasta
Exciting! But you’ll likely be disappointed if your pasta alternative isn’t topped with a gem of a sauce, am I right?
Don’t go opening a jar of pasta sauce and dumping it over your faux pasta. I have just the thing for you: An easy half homemade and half store bought sauce that will impress anyone’s Italian grandma. All you need is ground meat, tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, and some spices. You could also add some chopped liver for richness and extra nutrients. This sauce is very easy to make; the leftovers keep well for days and taste even better as it ages; it freezes well; and it will dress up any pasta alternative you choose. It’s a dinner party-worthy dish!
Let’s make some sauce.
Easy Homemade Paleo Meat Sauce: Step-By-Step Directions
paleo meat sauce over hearts of palm linguine
Here is what you’ll need:
- 1 pound organic ground beef, bison, or turkey
- 1 pound pork or mild Italian sausage
- 1 24 ounce jar tomato sauce of your choice. You can get a no sugar added Whole 30 approved sauce, for example, or choose any spices you like
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes. OR about 2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes. Romas work well.
- 1 can tomato paste
- Garlic, onion, spices
- Heavy bottom dutch oven. NOT cast iron. The tomatoes are too acidic and ruin the coating.
STEP 1
Start by dicing 1 medium yellow onion and however much garlic you like. I usually use 6 cloves, probably more if I’m being honest. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to your pan and heat til it shimmers. Add your onion. Sauté about 5 minutes, then add the garlic. Adjust your heat so the garlic doesn’t burn. Medium to medium-high is about right. Continue to sauté everything until translucent, about 7-10 minutes total.
STEP 2
Add ground beef and pork or sausage to the pan and break it up so it can brown evenly. I always use some type of organic beef. Make sure it’s 80 – 85% lean and nothing more or it won’t have enough fat. I buy locally made Italian pork sausages.
Add pork and beef to pan with onions and let it brown. Season a bit with sea salt and ground pepper. You could also add a bit of chopped liver at this stage for increased richness and nutrients.
Let that all mingle together til the meat is browned. Then add the jar of tomato sauce. For this particular batch, I used this Whole 30 approved sauce (no sugar added) that you can get at Whole Foods.
Mix that all together, then add your can of diced tomatoes and stir in tomato paste. It will be pretty liquidy.
Add some (preferably fresh, but dried is fine too) herbs: thyme, oregano, Italian blend. A fat pinch or two. Fresh basil is amazing during the summer. You can also add a big splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar (not Whole 30 approved though). My secret ingredient in sauces and stews is actually tamari or worcestershire. Both give it a nice umami depth.
So now let it simmer until it thickens. This takes well over an hour. Simmer uncovered and stir every so often. Taste it and season accordingly.
long and low simmer
Meantime, make your pasta alternative. For this batch I made spaghetti squash. I also love the hearts of palm linguine (in the first pic).
After about 25 minutes the sauce should be thickening up.
Continue to let it simmer until the liquid has evaporated and the flavors have melded. The tomatoes will release natural sugars and lend a hint of sweetness to it. I usually let it rest a bit before serving.
Ready to go!
This recipe feeds 4-6 and will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator. It is better the next day. Enjoy!
Top with parmesan if that’s your thing.
EASY SEMI-HOMEMADE PALEO MEAT SAUCE
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, diced more if you want.
- 1 pound ground beef, bison, or turkey
- 1 pound ground pork or Italian sausage
- 1 24 oz jar tomato sauce (I like varieties with garlic or basil)
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (I like the ones with Italian spice or basil) or ~2 cups diced fresh tomatoes
- 1 6oz can tomato paste
- 1 tbsp or more fresh chopped or dried herbs of your choice
- splash tamari
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium to medium-high heat til shimmering.
- Add onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, then add garlic. Don't let the garlic burn, so keep an eye on the heat. Sauté it all together about 7-10 minutes til translucent.
- Add ground meat to onion mixture and break up thoroughly so it browns evenly, about 7 minutes. Season with a bit of sea salt and pepper.
- Add jar of tomato sauce and stir.
- Add diced tomatoes & tomato paste. Stir.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Add herbs, a splash of red wine and/or balsamic vinegar, and/or splash tamari.
- Let simmer gently for at least an hour until very thick. Stir occasionally and taste to correct seasonings.
- Serve over pasta alternative of your choice. Top with freshly chopped basil and/or parmesan.
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Mary Vance is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and author specializing in digestive health. She combines a science-based approach with natural therapies to rebalance the body. In addition to her 1:1 coaching, she offers courses to help you heal your gut and improve your health. Mary lives in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in Northern California. Read more about her coaching practice here and her background here.
