Description
Grandma’s Meat Sauce Pasta with Burrata is a hearty Italian-American main course featuring a rich, savory meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage simmered with tomatoes and herbs. Served over pasta and topped with creamy burrata cheese and freshly grated Parmesan, this comforting dish offers a perfect balance of tender meat, tangy tomato flavors, and luxurious cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
Pasta and Topping
- 1 pound pasta (such as rigatoni or spaghetti)
- 8 ounces burrata cheese (2–3 balls)
- Freshly grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pan, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Season and Build Sauce: Season the meat mixture with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken and develop flavors. Stir in fresh parsley during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot or transfer to a large serving bowl.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and toss gently to combine, ensuring the noodles are well coated.
- Serve with Burrata and Garnish: Portion the pasta into bowls and top each with a ball or portion of burrata cheese, allowing it to melt slightly into the warm pasta. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can make the meat sauce ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it for later use.
- Substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- Burrata cheese adds a creamy, rich finish and should not be omitted if possible.
