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Veggie Packed Meat Sauce

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By: MadelinePosted: 03/17/2020Updated: 04/01/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Veggie Packed Meat Sauce packs all the flavor of a traditional pasta sauce but is loaded with hidden veggies. Trick yourself and your family members into eating some extra veggies with this easy pasta sauce.

We couldn’t stop eating this Veggie Packed Meat Sauce!

It’s very rare that I completely clear my plate at dinner. BUT with this sauce, I completely cleared my plate and almost licked it clean.

This pasta sauce is SO loaded with flavor that you and your family won’t even realize how many veggies you’re eating. I chose to use onions, zucchini, and carrots, but you could hide all different types of veggies in this meat sauce if you want to get creative!

What kitchen tools will I need to make this healthy pasta sauce?

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Frying pan
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring spoons

What ingredients will I need to make this Whole30 dinner?

You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this pasta sauce with just a few simple ingredients! You can use the veggies on this list or whatever you may have on hand!

  • Avocado oil
  • Yellow onion
  • Zucchini
  • Carrots
  • Ground beef
  • Tomato sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Dried oregano
  • Dried basil

Let’s make some Veggie Packed Meat Sauce!

Step 1: Saute veggies and season

To begin, dice carrots, zucchini, and onion. Then, heat oil over medium heat in a frying pan and add veggies to the pan. Next, add seasonings to the veggies, saute for an additional minute and then remove the veggies from the pan.

Step 2: Brown meat and add sauce

Then, add ground beef to the frying pan and brown for 5 minutes. Season the beef with salt and add tomato sauce to the pan. Next, add the sauteed veggies back into the pan.

Step 3: Simmer

Then, cover the frying pan and simmer the sauce on low for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Finally, remove from the pan and enjoy with your favorite noodles!

Step 4: Enjoy!

How long will this pasta sauce keep in the fridge?

Once prepared, store this sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat this sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop.

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

Recipe

Veggie Packed Meat Sauce

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

A simple meat sauce that is loaded with extra veggies.

Recipe By: Madeline
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 3 large carrots
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 28oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil

Instructions

  1. Dice onion, zuchini and peel and dice carrots
  2. Add oil to a frying pan and heat over medium heat
  3. Add veggies to the pan with the warm oil and saute for 6 minutes
  4. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried basil to the pan with the veggies
  5. Saute for another minute and then remove the veggies from the pan
  6. Leave the heat on medium and add ground beef to the pan
  7. Brown the meat and cook into crumbles for 4 minutes
  8. Add 1 tsp of salt to the meat and brown for another minute
  9. Pour tomato sauce into the pan with the meat and add the seasoned veggies back into the pan
  10. Cover the pan and simmer the sauce for at leat 1 hour stirring occasionally
  11. Remove from heat and enjoy with your favorite noodles
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Kate says

    Posted on 12/28 at 2:20 pm

    Love this recipe! I’ve made it a bunch and it freezes well too. Great way to get in some extra veggies and make a meat sauce more exciting. Paired it with some red lentil or cauliflower pasta, delish!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/28 at 10:06 pm

      awesome!! love this!

      Reply
  2. Alison Koenig says

    Posted on 1/9 at 2:54 pm

    I LOVE this sauce. I have paired it with zucchini noodles and also spaghetti squash and it is delicious! It’s so easy to make, and it freezes/reheats really well. It is my new go-to, and I try and always have some in the freezer.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/11 at 10:14 pm

      That sounds awesome!! Thank you!!

      Reply
  3. Marguerite says

    Posted on 11/27 at 6:51 pm

    The perfect comfort meal! Added a little ricotta at the end to make it a little creamer and it was delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/29 at 6:28 pm

      Yum that sounds great. Thanks!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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