Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil to help brown the lean meat
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or beef 93% lean preferred
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes (fire-roasted if available)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste for concentrated flavor
- 3 cloves minced garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 chopped onion or 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if not using fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon sugar to reduce acidity, optional
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup water to thin out the sauce as needed
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil or avocado oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground turkey or beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Brown the meat completely.
- Once the meat is browned, push it to the side of the pan. In the open space, add the tomato paste and fry it for about 1-2 minutes to develop a deeper flavor (a family tradition!).
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, water, salt, garlic powder (if using), onion powder (if not using fresh onion), dried basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning.
- Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity, if desired.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens. Cook low and slow until you are ready - the longer the better!
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 353mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg