Duffs Meat Sauce Recipes

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large heavy bottomed pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent. This should take 5 - 8 minutes. The longer you cook the onions, the sweeter they become.
• Add garlic and cook just until fragrant.
• Add the beef and veal (if using) and cook until it's browned. I use lean meat which means there's little fat left in the pan. I don't bother draining it. If you find a lot of fat you can remove it using a turkey baster or skim it off the top later. Don't mistake water for fat. I've found lesser grades of meat release more liquid than say Angus. If that's the case, cook and stir a few minutes and it will evaporate.
• Sprinkle in the granulated garlic, salt and pepper and stir.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it loses its bright red color.
• Add the ground peeled tomatoes and the tomato puree, sugar and basil.
• Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened about 1 hour. Taste and adjust for more salt and pepper.

HEARTY MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the red pepper flakes and stir for 15 seconds. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until soft, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until brick red, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes with their juices, the sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a simmer. Partially cover the pot and continue to simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer.
• Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, oregano, rosemary and thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the meat, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until it browns, about 5 minutes. Stir the meat into the sauce and continue to simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the flavors have blended, about 1 hour. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick. Stir the Parmesan into the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve over hot pasta with extra cheese for topping.