Description
This Healthy Meat Sauce with Vegetables & Olives is a flavorful, hearty dish combining lean ground beef, sweet bell peppers, and savory olives simmered in rich tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs. Perfect served over pasta or rice, this recipe offers a nutritious and satisfying meal with a balanced blend of protein and vegetables.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or other cooking oil of choice)
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 3 jars tomato sauce (total of ~2100 mL)
- 1 can tomato paste (156 mL)
- 1 can black olives (juice included)
- 1 can green olives (juice included)
- 4 sweet bell peppers, chopped
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (more or less to taste)
- 2 tablespoons dried basil (more or less to taste)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (more or less to taste)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Brown the Beef: Place a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the coconut oil and allow it to melt completely. Then add the lean ground beef and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently to break the meat apart and ensuring it is browned evenly.
- Add Sauce, Olives, Peppers, and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, black and green olives (including their juices), and chopped sweet bell peppers. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, dried basil, sea salt, and ground black pepper on top. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Simmer the Meat Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let the sauce simmer gently for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally but infrequently to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften to your preferred texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the vegetables are tender and the sauce is flavorful, remove from heat and serve hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or other preferred base. Enjoy your healthy and delicious meat sauce!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to keep the sauce healthier and lower in fat.
- You can substitute coconut oil with olive oil or any cooking oil you prefer.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to taste, starting with less salt and adding more as needed.
- Simmering time can be adjusted depending on how soft you prefer the vegetables.
- This sauce can be frozen in portions for up to 3 months for easy future meals.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chili peppers along with the seasonings.
