Carne sauce is a hearty and rich Italian meat sauce.

Often called Italian meat sauce, carne sauce is a rich, flavourful tomato-based sauce that is slow-cooked and goes well with pasta, lasagna, and even polenta. Packed with ground beef, Italian herbs, tomatoes, and aromatics, this traditional sauce is a filling and cosy meal.

Carne sauce, which emphasises the deep umami flavours of beef and tomatoes, is a simpler yet equally robust version of conventional Bolognese sauce, which contains milk or cream. This recipe will give you a sense of authentic Italian comfort food whether you’re preparing a slow-simmered Sunday sauce or a quick weeknight dinner.

Carne Sauce – Recipe Card

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Meat

1️⃣ Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until browned.
3️⃣ Drain excess fat, leaving a small amount for flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

4️⃣ Add chopped onion to the beef and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.
5️⃣ Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

6️⃣ Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
7️⃣ Pour in beef broth or red wine and mix well.
8️⃣ Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

Step 4: Slow Cook for Maximum Flavor

9️⃣ Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
🔟 The longer it cooks, the richer the flavor. Add water if it gets too thick.

Step 5: Serve & Garnish

✔ Spoon the sauce over cooked pasta and toss to coat.
✔ Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
✔ Serve with garlic bread or a side salad.

Storage & Reheating

What Is Unique About Carne Sauce?

✔ Rich & Hearty Flavour – The flavour is deep and meaty, thanks to the slow-cooked ground beef and tomatoes.
✔ Multipurpose Use – Ideal for lasagne, casseroles, stuffed peppers, and spaghetti.
Adaptable Ingredients – Beef, pork, sausage, or even turkey can be used to make this dish.
Simple ingredients yield restaurant-quality results, making it easy to make.

How to Prepare Homemade Carne Sauce

Needed Ingredients

In reference to the meat sauce:
✔ One pound of ground beef (or a combination of pork and beef)
✔ One little finely sliced onion
✔ Three minced garlic cloves
✔ One 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
✔ One 14-ounce can of tomato sauce
Two tablespoons of tomato paste
✔ 1 teaspoon sugar (for acidity balance)
One teaspoon of dried oregano, one teaspoon of dried basil, and one-sixth teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for flair)
A half teaspoon of salt and a half teaspoon of black pepper
One tablespoon of olive oil
✔ Half a cup of red wine or beef broth (for flavour depth)

For garnish and serving: ✔ Chopped fresh parsley or basil ✔ Grated Parmesan cheese ✔ Cooked pasta (fettuccine, rigatoni, or spaghetti)

Detailed Directions

The first step is to brown the meat.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2️⃣ Cook ground beef for 5–7 minutes, crumbling it when it’s browned.
3️⃣ Remove extra fat, reserving a tiny bit for taste.

Step 2: Aromatic Sautéing

4️⃣ Cook the meat for 2–3 minutes until it is tender, then add chopped onion.
Cook for 30 seconds until aromatic after adding minced garlic.

Simmer the sauce in step three.

6️⃣ Add the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, sugar, black pepper, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
7️⃣ Add red wine or beef broth and stir thoroughly.
8️⃣ Reduce the heat to low after bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Cook Slowly for the Most Flavour

9️⃣ For 30 to 45 minutes, let the sauce simmer uncovered, stirring regularly. 🔟 The flavour gets richer the longer it cooks. If it becomes too thick, add water.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

✔ To coat the cooked pasta, spoon the sauce over it.
✔ Add fresh basil and Parmesan cheese as garnish.
✔ Accompany with a side salad or garlic bread.

Suggestions for Serving and Pairing

🍷 Wine Pairing – Savour a Chianti, Sangiovese, or Cabernet Sauvignon. 🧄 Side Dishes – Present a Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread. 🧀 Cheese Lovers – For an added creamy touch, add Ricotta or Mozzarella cheese.

FAQs, or frequently asked questions

1. Is it possible to prepare the carne sauce in advance?

Yes! The following day, it tastes even better. Freeze for up to 3 months or keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

2. Is it possible to substitute ground turkey for beef?

Definitely! A leaner alternative is ground chicken or turkey.

3. How can I make the sauce thicker?

For a thicker consistency, either add more tomato paste or let it simmer longer.

4. Is it possible to prepare this in a slow cooker?

Indeed! Prior to transferring everything to a slow cooker and cooking on LOW for 6-8 hours, brown the beef and sauté the onions and garlic.

5. Which pasta pairs best with carne sauce?

The best options for soaking up the sauce are fettuccine, rigatoni, spaghetti, or pappardelle.

Concluding Reflections

Any occasion calls for the delicious, adaptable, and simple to make Italian classic that is carne sauce. Whether you’re preparing a slow-simmered Sunday sauce or a quick weeknight supper, this rich and hearty dish will provide real Italian flavours to your table.

👉 Try this recipe and share your carne sauce presentation in the comments! 🍝😊