Skip to Content

Mushroom Meat Sauce Recipe

Our easy Mushroom Meat Sauce recipe is a rich, flavorful combination of ground beef, mushrooms, herbs, and wine simmered in a hearty tomato sauce. It brings depth and texture to a classic meat sauce by incorporating crimini mushrooms, which enhance both the flavor and heartiness of the dish. This sauce is perfect for serving over pasta, in lasagna, or as a base for baked dishes. The long simmer allows the ingredients to meld, developing complex flavors while the wine and herbs add a balanced touch. This sauce is easy to make and versatile enough to suit various dishes, making it a great addition to your recipe rotation.

Mushroom Meat Sauce

Mushroom Meat Sauce

This is one of my favorite pasta sauce recipes, and is a play our our original Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, which is a weekly staple in our house.

The mushrooms add so much great flavor to the whole dish, and this is a perfect recipe to meat prep for easy lunches for the week, to stick in the freezer for a quick dinner on short notice, or to make for a friend who needs a few home-cooked meals they didn’t prepare themselves.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or brand new, you can make this recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

  • Hearty and Flavorful: The mushrooms add richness while enhancing the savory beef.
  • Versatile Use: Works with pasta, lasagna, or even as a pizza sauce.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Develops better flavor over time, making it ideal for meal prep.
  • Customizable: You can adjust the herbs or switch the wine to suit your preference.
  • Simple Yet Elegant: A balance of familiar and refined flavors perfect for casual or special meals.
Mushroom Meat Sauce

Mushroom Marinara Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the grocery store or if you have all the ingredients you need for this? Check out this list! For the full ingredients list, including the amounts you’ll need, make sure to scroll to the bottom and view the recipe card.

Ingredients

  • Crimini Mushrooms (diced)
  • Crimini Mushrooms (sliced)
  • Onions (diced)
  • Lean Ground Beef
  • Dried Basil
  • Dried Oregano
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Minced Garlic
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Tomato Paste
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Water
  • Beef Better Than Bouillon
  • Sugar
Mushroom Meat Sauce

Meat Sauce with Mushrooms – Recipe Overview

This is the quick and dirty summary of what you’re in for if you make this recipe. For the complete instructions you’ll want to scroll to the bottom of the post and follow the recipe card.

  1. Cook the Beef and Vegetables: Combine ground beef, onions, and mushrooms in a large sauté pan. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper, and cook until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add Garlic and Olive Oil: Stir in olive oil and garlic, cooking for about 1 minute to infuse flavor.
  3. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the cabernet sauvignon and cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce the liquid.
  4. Incorporate Tomato Ingredients: Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, bouillon, and sugar, stirring everything together.
  5. Simmer and Develop Flavor: Simmer the sauce over low heat for 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and thicken the sauce.
Mushroom Meat Sauce

FAQ

How should I store mushroom meat sauce?

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in individual portions for up to 3 months.

Can I reheat this sauce?

Yes, reheat the sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add a splash of water if it thickens too much.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! This sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Prepare it a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.

What substitutions can I make?

You can replace crimini mushrooms with baby bellas or portobellos. If you prefer, use ground turkey instead of beef, and swap the cabernet sauvignon with beef broth or another red wine of your choice.

Mushroom Meat Sauce

Serve This With…

This mushroom meat sauce offers a rich, savory option that’s easy to prepare and adaptable to many meals. Its deep flavors come from the combination of beef, mushrooms, and wine, making it a great sauce to enhance any pasta dish or baked casserole. It’s an excellent make-ahead option that only gets better with time, making it a reliable choice for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.

Mushroom Meat Sauce
Mushroom Meat Sauce

Mushroom Meat Sauce

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This hearty pasta sauce recipe features mushrooms, ground beef, and lots of tomatoes! Perfect over a bed of spaghetti.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups diced crimini mushrooms
  • 2 cups sliced crimini mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup cabernet sauvignon
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 28 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon Beef Better Than Bouillon
  • 2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions

  1. Place the ground beef, onions, and mushrooms in a large non-stick saute pan. Season with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
  2. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add olive oil to pan along with the garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add the wine, stir, and cook for 2-3 minutes until most of the excess liquid has cooked off.
  5. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, and better than bouillon, and sugar. Stir to mix everything in well.
  6. Let simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 742mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 12g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links.Skip to Recipe