Are you ready for the best bowl of pasta in 20 minutes or less? This quick and easy meat sauce recipe only needs a jar of your favorite marinara sauce. Think of this as an elevated meat sauce. We’re using fresh ingredients and a jar of sauce to make a simple six-ingredient sauce recipe that tastes fancy and couldn’t be easier to put together! You can change up this spaghetti sauce recipe based on what you have in the fridge, and it makes a hearty 20-minute dinner that everyone loves.
Nothing tops off a big bowl of steaming hot pasta like a rich, meaty tomato sauce. And for many folks, that means starting with ground beef when making homemade spaghetti sauce. But how much ground beef do you really need for one jar of sauce? Here’s a look at the typical amount of ground beef used with a jarred pasta sauce.
The Role of Ground Beef in Spaghetti Sauce
Ground beef plays a few important roles in spaghetti sauce:
- Adds hearty, meaty flavor
- Provides texture contrast to the tomato sauce
- Makes the sauce more filling as a meal
- Can add nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc
While some vegetable-only sauce options exist, most people expect and enjoy the addition of meat to their pasta sauce. The savory umami taste of beef complements the tangy tomatoes perfectly.
How Much Ground Beef for One Jar of Sauce?
The most common ratio for a standard 26-28 ounce jar of pasta sauce is:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef per jar
This produces a meaty sauce without overpowering the tomato flavor The ratio can be adjusted based on personal taste
- Less beef for lighter, more tomato-focused sauce
- More beef for heartier, meat-focused sauce
But 1 pound per jar is the typical starting point for most traditional spaghetti sauce recipes.
Benefits of the 1:1 Ratio
Using one pound of ground beef with each jar of sauce provides ideal texture flavor and nutrition
- Allows sauce to cling to pasta strands
- Provides enough meat without excess grease
- Adds richness without diluting tomato flavor
- Supplies protein, B vitamins, iron, and zinc
This basic 1:1 ratio of ground beef to sauce strikes the right balance for most preferences. It can be tweaked as needed for individual tastes.
Ground Beef Options for Sauce
Certain types of ground beef work best for pasta sauce:
- 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio – Provides enough fat for flavor without excess grease
- Ground chuck or ground sirloin – More beefy flavor than very lean options
- Coarse grind – Gives better texture than finely ground
Leaner grinds like 90/10 ground beef lack the fat needed to carry flavors. Fattier options can make sauce greasy. Medium grinds with some marbling offer the best results.
Comparing Different Meat Options
While ground beef is most common, other meats can be used instead:
- Ground pork or pork sausage – Adds unique flair
- Ground turkey or chicken – Leaner alternative
- Ground lamb or bison – For more exotic flavor
- Plant-based meat – Vegetarian/vegan option
Each meat provides a different nutritional profile and eating experience. But for traditional beefy Bolognese or meat sauce, ground beef remains the top choice.
Adjusting Amount for Number of Servings
The 1 pound per jar ratio works well for 4 to 6 servings. To adjust for more or fewer people:
- 2 people: 12 ounces (340g) ground beef
- 4 people: 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 6 people: 1.5 pounds (680g) ground beef
- 8 people: 2 pounds (900g) ground beef
Use about 4 to 6 ounces (110g to 170g) finished ground beef per serving as a guide. Reduce or add beef accordingly.
How Much Raw Ground Beef Shrinks When Cooked
One thing to account for is ground beef shrinks when cooked and drained:
- Raw: 1 pound (450g)
- Cooked and drained: About 3/4 pound (340g)
So if your recipe calls for 1 pound (450g) cooked ground beef, get 1 1/3 pounds (600g) raw to compensate.
Extra Tips for the Best Flavor
To maximize flavor with the 1:1 ratio:
- Brown beef well for rich, caramelized taste
- Drain excess fat after cooking for less greasy sauce
- Add onion, garlic, herbs and seasonings to boost taste
- Simmer sauce 20+ minutes to meld flavors after adding beef
- Let sauce sit overnight, then skim fat before serving
Taking these extra steps results in the most delicious ground beef and tomato sauce.
Sample Recipe for 1 Jar of Sauce
Here is a sample recipe for a 26 ounce jar of sauce:
- 1 pound (450g) 80/20 ground beef
- 1 small diced onion
- Garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper
- 1 jar (26 oz) tomato-basil pasta sauce
- Simmer 20 minutes
Customize herbs and seasonings as desired. But the 1:1 ratio provides perfect pasta sauce every time.
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How to Make Jar Spaghetti Sauce Better
This pasta with meat sauce can be made in just three easy steps:
- Cooking the pasta
- Cooking the sauce
- Combining the two! Garnish as desired and enjoy.
The secret here?We’re talking….how to make j
Rao’s, Cucina Antica, or Stonewall Kitchen’s Montebello line of sauces are the ones I love and use most often in this meat sauce recipe.
Tip: look out for added sugar and additives that don’t need to be in your spaghetti sauce!
I usually toss in some veggies I have in the fridge for this recipe, too. It definitely makes it taste better and gives it more nutrition. That being said, I also make it without the vegetables and it’s still great. This is one of those really simple, tasty recipes that only takes 20 minutes to make and only needs about 6 ingredients.
How to Make Jarred Pasta Sauce Taste Better
How much meat do you put in a jar of spaghetti sauce?
But for the best results, use no more than 1-2 pounds of meat for each large jar of sauce. However, if you’ll ask for the precise recommendation, we advise 1 pound per 1 kilogram. 5 pounds of spaghetti sauce. This could be the typical proportion of spaghetti sauce to meat. How much ground beef per person for spaghetti sauce?
Can I eat a small amount of spaghetti sauce with gurd?
Reasons why you should not eat pasta with reflux esophagitis are that it is not well digested and uses a lot of oil. Using a lot of garlic is also not good. Therefore, it is okay to eat a small amount of pasta if you are careful about how you prepare it, for example, using less oil and no garlic.
How much meat do you use for spaghetti sauce?
You can use as much meat as you like, but it should work out best to use 1-2 pounds per large jar of sauce. Almost every time, I use 1 pound of meat. Is 1 lb of ground beef enough for spaghetti? But for the best results, use no more than 1-2 pounds of meat for each large jar of sauce.
How do you make spaghetti sauce with ground beef?
Rich and savory flavors create a symphony in this Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef. The aroma as it simmers on the stove is simply divine. Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large deep sized skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease, if necessary, and add the onion and garlic to the pan.