Perfect Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauce is a versatile ingredient that can elevate any simple dish into something truly memorable. Whether you're looking to prepare an Italian dinner or just want a quick and tasty meal, homemade pasta sauce offers the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and ease. In this article, we will explore how to make a delicious and creamy pasta sauce from scratch.

Ingredients needed for our recipe include 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 onion finely chopped, 3 cloves garlic minced, 500g of ground beef (or any other meat of your choice), 400ml of crushed tomatoes, 200ml of milk, salt and pepper to taste, fresh basil leaves for garnish. You will also require a large pan or pot.

Preparation Steps

To begin with, heat the olive oil in your large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and stir continuously for another minute to let it release its aromatic essence.

• Once the onions have softened, add the ground beef (or chicken or any other meat). Stir occasionally while cooking until all meat is browned, about 7-10 minutes depending on your stove's power. If using leaner meats like turkey sausage or pork, this step may be quicker.
• Add crushed tomatoes and milk to the pan containing the onions and ground beef mixture. Bring it to a simmer. Let this mixture cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows all flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Finally, season with salt and pepper according to your taste preference. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Cooking Time & Servings

This dish requires approximately 45 minutes of total preparation time but only takes about 20 minutes once the stove is turned on; thus, making it quite efficient for busy weekdays. The perfect pasta sauce yields enough servings for four people as a main course or six individuals when paired with other side dishes.

Health Benefits

Homemade pasta sauce offers numerous health benefits due to its rich ingredients such as tomatoes which are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins A & C, potassium, fiber. Additionally, the inclusion of milk adds calcium while ground beef provides protein essential for muscle development and repair. Garlic has antibacterial properties helping boost immunity against common colds and flu. However, please note that excessive consumption especially among those watching their cholesterol levels might not be ideal.

Storage Tips

Any leftover sauce can last up to three days in the refrigerator or up to three months if frozen properly wrapped with an airtight container. Freezing helps preserve freshness even better than refrigeration because it stops bacteria growth entirely until reheating takes place later on.

Conclusion

Creating homemade pasta sauce is both rewarding and beneficial for your overall well-being. It provides convenience, affordability compared to store-bought alternatives which often contain preservatives and other additives, plus the satisfaction of knowing exactly what goes into each bite you take. With minimal effort required yet delivering great results, this recipe stands out as one worth trying at home!