Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce (Paleo and Whole30 Friendly)
This meat sauce recipe is my go-to for a quick and filling meal. It’s packed with veggies and spices, making it naturally paleo and Whole30 friendly! You can serve it with noodles, gnocchi, spaghetti squash or over even over hearty greens like kale and spinach. It makes a perfect weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 purple onion diced (yellow onion is fine too)
- 1 bell pepper diced (optional – I use it if I have one around)
- 1 large carrot grated
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup red wine optional, leave out for paleo/Whole30
- 16 ounces tomato or pasta sauce choose your favorite!
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional, leave out for paleo/Whole30
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or pan over medium heat. Add the avocado oil, then then the diced onion. Saute until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the diced pepper and sautee for a few minutes until soft. Finally, add the garlic and saute one more minute until fragrant.
- Add in the ground meat into the center and begin to brown (I like to make a ‘well’ in the center of the pan, pushing the onion mixtures slightly out towards the edges of the pan). Toss the meat to brown on both sides, breaking up any large clumps and incorporating with the onion and garlic. Add in the dried spices and stir again.
- Add in the wine, if using and cook until most of the liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the grated carrot and sauce and mix to combine, stirring occasionally.
- Turn down the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Take the lid off and simmer on low 5 more minutes. Taste for seasoning; add salt and pepper as needed – your sauce may have enough.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Serve on top of spaghetti squash, pasta, hearty greens or alone with crusty bread!