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5 from 2 votes

In-A-Hurry Meat Sauce (in under 20 minutes)!

Ready for the best bowl of pasta in 20 minutes or less? This easy meat sauce recipe uses a jar of your favorite marinara sauce to get dinner on the table QUICK. Think of this as an elevated meat sauce! We're combining fresh ingredients with a jar of sauce to make a 6-ingredient staple sauce recipe, that tastes fancy and could not be easier to throw together! 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Easy Meat Sauce Recipe
Author: Lexi

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 8- ounce package baby Bella mushrooms finely diced (optional)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes more as desired
  • 1 24- ounce jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
  • Fine sea salt as needed
  • Black pepper as needed
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Optional Vegetables:

  • 1 green or red bell pepper finely diced
  • 1 zucchini diced (about 1 cup)

For Garnish:

  • Fresh parmesan cheese
  • Hot pepper flakes
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Fresh basil

Instructions

  • Heat oil or butter in a large 12″ skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and garlic and sautè for 2-4 minutes, until onions begin to soften and garlic is fragrant.
  • Add in mushrooms and any other optional diced vegetables you choose (zucchini, bell peppers) and let cook for 5-7 minutes, until veggies begin to soften, and water reduces from mushrooms.
  • Add in ground beef and seasoning and cook until no pink remains, about 5 minutes.
  • Add in jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer for 5-10 minutes, but the longer the better. If you have 30 minutes, do it!
  • Add reserved pasta water, if you have it! It really elevates your sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  • Serve hot with optional garnishes and over your favorite pasta with a healthy side of roasted broccoli!

Notes

  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Add optional veggies, or if using any veggies, in step 2 and sautè as directed until soft.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 recipe | Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 900mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 13g