Welcome to a recipe that feels like a warm hug in a bowl! This thick and hearty ground meat sauce is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for transforming a simple plate of pasta into a memorable meal. While it might remind you of a classic Bolognese, it has its own unique character, thanks to a creamy finish from smetana (a type of sour cream) that adds a delightful tang. It's a simple, satisfying dish that comes together quickly, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight dinner yet special enough for a Sunday family lunch.
Thick ground meat sauce for pasta
Ingredients for Thick Ground Meat Sauce for Pasta
- 400 g ground pork
- 120 g onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 150 g tomato purée
- 100 g bell pepper
- 50 g fresh herbs of your choice
- 100 g smetana (a type of sour cream)
- 15 g all-purpose flour
- 15 g butter
- 15 ml olive oil
- 1 teaspoon each of paprika and curry powder
- salt, sugar
How to Make Thick Ground Meat Sauce for Pasta
Let’s get cooking. Thinly slice the onion into half-rings. Crush the garlic cloves with a knife, chop them finely, or pass them through a garlic press. Heat the refined olive oil in a skillet, then add the butter. Add the chopped vegetables to the hot oil and sauté until translucent.
Sautéing onion and garlic
Next, add the ground meat to the sautéed vegetables. This recipe uses pork, but you can use any ground meat according to your culinary preferences.
Sauté the meat with the vegetables for 10 minutes, stirring to prevent the meat from clumping.
Adding ground meat to the sautéed onion
Then, add the tomato purée. A ready-made tomato sauce will work, but in my opinion, it’s healthier to blend a few ripe tomatoes in a blender.
Adding tomato purée
To the tomato purée, add the red bell pepper, finely chopped into thin strips.
Adding chopped bell pepper
Sprinkle in the sweet paprika, curry powder, salt to taste, and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar to balance the flavors.
Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer over moderate heat for 20 minutes.
Adding salt and spices
In a bowl, mix 100 ml of cold water, all-purpose flour, and smetana (a type of sour cream), stirring until there are no flour lumps.
Preparing the smetana sauce
When the meat is almost cooked, add the smetana sauce, bring it to a boil again, and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
Adding the smetana sauce to the browned ground meat
About 1-2 minutes before it’s done, toss in finely chopped herbs – cilantro, parsley, or dill, whichever you prefer.
Stir everything together, and you can remove the dish from the heat.
A couple of minutes before it's ready, add chopped herbs to the sauce
As the sauce finishes cooking, boil your pasta. Drizzle it with high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Leave a little of the pasta water in the pot with the pasta; it will make the dish tastier.
Pour the sauce over the pasta and serve immediately.
Thick ground meat sauce for pasta
And there you have it—a rich, flavorful meat sauce that will surely become a family favorite. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility. Don't hesitate to experiment with different herbs or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat. This sauce also freezes beautifully, so consider making a double batch for a quick and delicious meal on a busy day. Serve it hot over your favorite pasta, and enjoy the comforting flavors that bring everyone to the table. Happy cooking!
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