Savory Beef and Herb Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the green bell pepper to ensure the vegetables cook evenly.

2. Sauté Base Aromatics:
- Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for another 1 minute.

3. Brown the Ground Beef:
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat.
- Cook until it is well browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat as needed.

4. Introduce Vegetables and Aromatics:
- Add the diced green bell pepper, fennel seeds, sage, thyme, black pepper, and allspice to the skillet.
- Stir to combine and cook for 3 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse the meat with flavor.

5. Simmer the Sauce:
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup of water.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, sugar, and salt, then add the bay leaf.
- Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.

6. Cook Until Perfect:
- Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

7. Finish with Fresh Herbs:
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and basil right before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the savory beef and herb tomato sauce over your favorite pasta or alongside crusty bread for a complete dinner experience.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT40M
40 minutes

Total Time

- Total Time: PT55M
55 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Beef Tomato Sauce
- Ground Beef Recipes
- Herb Infused Sauce
- Homemade Marinara
- Italian Flavors
- Savory Dinner
- Easy Skillet Meal
- Pasta Sauce
- One-Pan Meal
- Comfort Food

Recipe Yield

- Serves 4 adults

Calories

- Total Calories: 850

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