Nani's Favorite Veggie Packed Meat Sauce

Name: Nani's Favorite Veggie Packed Meat Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium zucchini, finely grated; 2 large carrots, finely grated; 1 bell pepper, finely diced; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; Salt and black pepper to taste

This hearty meat sauce is filled with hidden vegetables and is perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· August 14, 2026

Nani's Favorite Veggie Packed Meat Sauce

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

30 minutes

Total

45 minutes

Serves

Everyone in my house loves a good pasta night. This sauce is my go to recipe when I want to make sure my family gets plenty of veggies without anyone complaining about them because they blend right into the sauce.

My top tip is to grate your vegetables very finely. When the pieces are tiny, they practically melt into the tomato base, which is perfect for picky eaters who prefer a smoother texture.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium zucchini, finely grated
2 large carrots, finely grated
1 bell pepper, finely diced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
2
Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as you go.
3
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, grated zucchini, grated carrots, and diced bell pepper to the pot.
4
Sauté the vegetables with the meat for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are soft.
5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and basil.
6
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
7
Season with salt and pepper to your liking before serving over your favorite pasta.

💡 Tips

This sauce freezes beautifully for up to three months in airtight containers. I like to serve it over spaghetti, but it is also wonderful spooned over roasted vegetables or used in a baked pasta dish. If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge for up to four days.

#dinner #pasta sauce #kid friendly #freezer friendly #easy meals

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