Description
Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata is a hearty, comforting Italian-American dish featuring a rich meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage simmered with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Finished with creamy burrata cheese and fresh basil, this recipe delivers a perfect blend of savory and creamy flavors that’s ideal for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
Pasta and Garnishes
- 1 pound pasta (like rigatoni or spaghetti)
- 8 ounces fresh burrata cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce base: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan, breaking them up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add tomato paste and simmer: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Then add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and sugar if desired. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the milk or heavy cream during the last 10 minutes of cooking to add richness and soften the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the drained pasta with the meat sauce until fully coated.
- Serve with burrata and garnishes: Plate the pasta and top each serving with torn pieces of fresh burrata cheese. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for added flavor.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, you can simmer the meat sauce for up to an hour.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken to make a lighter version of this dish.
- The sugar in the sauce helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes but is optional depending on your taste preference.
