Authentic Venison Spaghetti Sauce
A rich, classic venison spaghetti sauce made with ground deer meat, crushed tomatoes, and Italian herbs. This simple weeknight recipe comes together in under an hour and is a perfect way to use ground venison for a hearty, comforting pasta dinner.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground venison or lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
- ¾ cup water or beef stock
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot and starts to shimmer, add the venison. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break the meat up with a wooden spoon into small bits.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook while stirring, until they begin to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the water while scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Add the crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, dried oregano, thyme, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Gently simmer until the sauce has slightly thickened and the flavors have developed, around 30 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the chopped parsley and basil. Stir to combine.
NOTES
- Slow Cooker friendly: After browning the meat, vegetables, and deglazing, pour into your crockpot. Cook on the low setting for 2 hours or on the high setting for 1 hour.
- Don’t overcook: Venison is very lean, and long simmering can dry the meat out.
- The flavor deepens overnight: Let it rest and reheat gently the next day for even better results.
- Freezer-friendly: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months.
- Use any pasta you like: spaghetti noodles, penne, or even lasagna.
- For dairy-free and gluten-free: Skip the Parmesan and use your favorite gluten-free pasta or even rice.
Make this recipe?Mention @Larry__White or tag #WildGameGourmet!