Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Italy! Mike's Salse di Carne is not just another meat sauce - it's a rich, slow-cooked masterpiece that promises to elevate your dining experience from ordinary to extraordinary. With tender beef chunks melting into a luxurious tomato-based sauce, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Working in batches, brown the beef cubes on all sides to develop a deep golden crust, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove browned meat and set aside.
- In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and add chopped onions. Sauté until they become translucent and soft, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Return the browned beef cubes to the pot and add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Italian seasoning.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Slow cook the sauce for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is extremely tender and can be easily shredded.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Let the sauce rest for 10-15 minutes before serving over pasta or your preferred accompaniment.
Tips
- Pat the beef dry before browning to ensure a perfect golden crust and maximize flavor development.
- Brown the meat in batches to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of proper caramelization.
- Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or pot to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.
- Cook on low, slow heat to allow the beef to become incredibly tender and infuse the sauce with deep, rich flavors.
- Let the sauce rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
- For best results, serve over wide pasta like pappardelle or rigatoni that can catch the delicious sauce.
- This sauce freezes beautifully - make a double batch and save some for an easy future meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
