Sep 25, 2024
Recipe Roundup: Leftover Meat Sauce
Here is a batch of ideas to draw from if you have meat sauce (or ragu) leftover. It’s easy to just spoon it over spaghetti noodles for days, but these rich, savory flavors lend themselves deliciously to a TON of quick and tasty recipes. Why not turn leftover sauce into an entirely new meal?I love trying tasty new was to finish my pot of ragu or bolognese. Most of these ideas are done in under an hour. Let’s dig in!
Lazy Lasagna
This Lazy Lasagna (with just 3 ingredients!) is my go-to when I have a pot of sauce in the fridge.
Leftover Bolognese Chili Con Carne
The recipe calls for jarred marinara – but meat sauce makes it even better!
Shepherd’s Pie
Grab this Greek Shepherd’s Pie recipe. It’s got a rich meat sauce layer at the bottom that you could easily swap with pre-made meat sauce. I love the creamy mashed potato topping. Serve it with a chunky Greek salad for the perfect meal. This is an epic triple cheese, double-decker sandwich made with garlic butter. Oh my goodness, it’s an absolute monster, and I’m here for it!
One Pot Lasagna
This One-Pot Stovetop Lasagna is a quick, cheesy, and delicious meal made entirely in a dutch oven on the stove. You can easily swap the marinara for a hearty leftover meat sauce. It still comes together in just one pot, making cleanup and storage a breeze!
Bolognese Mac and Cheese
This recipe is a no-brainer from bhg.com.au for your leftover Bolognese. Go ahead and make this, seal it in an airtight container or pop it in the freezer for an easy mid-week dinner. Your family will love it! I mean, really now. This is so smart-what a way to use up leftover Bolognese sauce in a wholesome, fiber-packed way. Keep this in the fridge and enjoy it all week long. Maybe even stir in extra vegetables, like bell peppers and zucchini, since we’re on the healthy train.
Sloppy Joes
My spicy sloppy Joes are saucy, savory, and loaded with cozy flavor. If you’re skimming through, looking for an easy win with your leftover meat sauce, this is it. Just spoon your sauce into soft, squishy buns for sloppy joes with Italian flavor. Nothing could be simpler. A hot, savory breakfast or brunch goes well on a lazy (chilly) Sunday morning. This is a hearty start to the day, for sure. I’d sprinkle on a few red pepper flakes because I like my eggs spicy! I love that these can be made up with leftover meat sauce and then frozen to enjoy later. Pair them with a salad and all your favorite sauces for a homey kind of lunch or dinner.
Bolognese + Tortellini
Chisel and Fork has some brilliant recipes, including this one! This is an Italian-style dish that takes 25 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. It is SO quick and easy and yet, looks effortful.
Meat Sauce Quesadillas
Check this delicious recipe from Tinner Tomatoes. They are loaded with tomatoes and rich Bolognese and finished with bubbly, golden mozzarella and Cheddar. These make the perfect easy dinner or snack. Pair them with something fresh like a salad and a crack of black pepper – they’re pretty indulgent.
Spaghetti Pie Casserole
I mean…this spaghetti pie from Tastes Of Lizzy is absolutely a YES! The crust is made with spaghetti and parmesan cheese! Go ahead and let your kids know you’re making spaghetti pie for dinner, and then move on to receiving your “Parent of the Year” award! Any quesadilla is good, but this one is particularly good and so easy to make with leftover meat sauce / Bolognese. You can freeze them for another day (or not). Serve them with a steaming side of marinara sauce and a bowl of mashed potato or salad. Honestly, this is the cutest party snack. This is great for a party with kids (or teens) and adults coming. Everyone will love them. You can always make these up, freeze and thaw them later. Flash them in the microwave at a medium heat, just before serving them. It specifically guides you on turning leftover Bolognese into a chili con carne. How cute is the little block of chocolate on top? I love the nod to Mexican mole sauce. Lay it out on your buffet or in the middle of your table. It’s easy going – you can add extra veggies if you like but don’t skimp on the cream cheese and ricotta! They are highly rated as a little snack. They’re also a great lunch box idea – you can eat them warm or at room temperature. I like them with a little salt and warm pizza sauce.
Ingredients
Meat sauce typically contains ground meat (such as beef, pork, or a combination), tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs like basil and oregano. Ragu is a slow-cooked meat-based sauce that often includes a combination of ground meats like beef, veal, and pork, cooked with tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, wine, and sometimes milk or cream and bay leaves. Ragù is richer and more complex in flavor.
Cooking Process
Meat sauce is relatively quick to prepare and can be made in about an hour or so. Ragu is cooked low and slow at a simmer and traditionally gets cooked in the oven for a few hours.
Texture and Flavor
Meat sauce tends to have a chunkier texture, with pieces of ground meat mixed into the tomato sauce. Ragu has a thicker, smoother consistency. The meat breaks down into tender strands that meld into the sauce, creating a more unified texture.
Regional Variations
Meat sauce can vary in ingredients and preparation method. Ragu is particularly associated with Italian regions like Bologna, where it’s known as “Ragù alla Bolognese.” In many parts of the world, people refer to this as Bolognese sauce.
