Ingredients
– 1 pound lean ground beef
– 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
– 2 carrots, chopped
– 1 large stalk celery, chopped
– 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
– 1 small yellow onion, chopped
– 3 cloves garlic
– 3 heaping handfuls fresh baby spinach
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
– 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
– 2 jars (25 oz each) marinara sauce
– 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
– 1 bay leaf
– Pinch of sugar (optional)
Instructions
1-First, prepare all vegetables by washing, peeling, and finely chopping or grating them as needed.
2-Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, add garlic and onion, and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3-Add the ground beef and cook until browned, stirring to break it apart, which takes roughly 7-8 minutes.
4-Next, incorporate the pureed vegetables made by blending carrots, celery, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and spinach until mostly smooth and cook until the liquid evaporates.
5-Then, stir in salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, and a pinch of sugar if desired.
6-Simmer partially covered for 30 minutes, adjusting seasonings to taste for the best flavor.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌿 Puree vegetables finely to hide them well for picky eaters.
🥫 This sauce freezes well; portion and store leftovers for quick future meals.
🍄 Mushrooms can be added for extra flavor and nutrition without overpowering the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
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- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 276 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg