Description
Experience the warmth of home-cooked comfort with our veggie-loaded meat sauce. This hearty dish combines lean ground beef with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, simmered in rich tomatoes and Italian herbs. Perfect for pasta nights or as a versatile topping for rice and quinoa, this recipe promises to delight even the pickiest eaters while adding nutrition to your family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium zucchini, grated
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and carrots; sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and zucchini; cook for another 3-4 minutes until zucchini is tender.
- Push veggies aside and add ground beef; brown for about 5-6 minutes.
- Mix in crushed tomatoes and Italian herbs; stir well and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- If using, add red wine and cook for an additional 5 minutes until alcohol evaporates.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot over pasta or rice, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg