Sicilian Meat Sauce Recipe

 Sicilian Meat Sauce is a rich, hearty sauce that captures the essence of Southern Italian cooking. It’s full of depth from slow-simmered beef, tomatoes, garlic, and a touch of wine, balanced with sweet notes from raisins and bold flavor from olives and herbs. Traditionally served with pasta, this sauce brings comfort and warmth to every bite.

Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium carrot, finely chopped

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

½ cup dry red wine

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

¼ cup chopped green olives

2 tablespoons raisins or currants

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook the Meat:
   
   Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Add Aromatics:
   
   Stir in onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 6–8 minutes until softened and fragrant.

3. Deglaze with Wine:
   
   Pour in red wine and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release all the browned bits.

4. Add Tomatoes and Flavorings:
   
   Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olives, raisins, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.

5. Simmer Slowly:
   
   Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors blend beautifully.

6. Finish and Serve:
   
   Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over spaghetti, rigatoni, or your favorite pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 295

Protein: 22g

Carbohydrates: 18g

Fat: 14g

Fiber: 3g

Sugar: 8g

Tips:

• For extra richness, stir in a splash of cream or a pat of butter before serving.

• The raisins add a subtle sweetness that balances the savory sauce; don’t skip them for authentic Sicilian flavor.

• You can make this sauce a day ahead—flavors deepen beautifully overnight.

• It freezes well; portion it into containers for easy weeknight pasta dinners.