EASY MAKE-AHEAD PASTA SAUCE

Easy Make-Ahead Pasta Sauce image

This rich and meaty pasta sauce is a keeper for a few reasons: It's easy enough for a Tuesday night but has cooked-all-day flavor, it can be made ahead and frozen, and it makes enough for several meals. Whip up a batch, and use it in whatever Italian dish you're craving, from spaghetti to lasagna!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Time 40m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 can (6 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato paste
2 cans (28 oz each) Muir Glen™ organic fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
1 cup Progresso™ beef-flavored broth (from 32-oz carton)

Steps:

In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook beef over high heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Reduce heat to medium; add onion, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Continue to cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is softened. Add tomato paste; cook and stir 3 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes and broth; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Serve over pasta, if desired.
To freeze: Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes. Divide sauce among four 1-quart freezer containers; freeze up to 2 months. To use: Place frozen sauce container in large bowl filled with hot water about 5 minutes or until sauce can be slid out of container into saucepan. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is heated through. Use as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130, Carbohydrate 8 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 390 mg, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 0 g