Here is a delicious ground beef and Italian sausage pasta dish for your entire family to enjoy. We have zucchini and bell pepper to add some natural flavors to the pasta, tomatoes, ground beef, and sausage.
I don’t know why, but stir-fried zucchini is one of my life-long favorites. That’s also true for bell peppers—this dish wouldn’t be the same without them. They go well with meat and really make it taste good.
This recipe for a meal in a dish is great for teens who are hungry because it’s full of ground beef and Italian sausage. Plus, all the vegetables make it less heavy, so everyone can enjoy it.
Italian sausage and ground beef are two extremely versatile meats that can be used in a wide variety of dishes. A common question many home cooks have is whether you can cook these two meats together. The short answer is yes! Blending Italian sausage and ground beef creates a flavorful meat blend that can elevate classic recipes like pasta sauce lasagna meatballs, chili, and more.
Understanding the Flavors
To understand why Italian sausage and ground beef work so well together, it helps to look at the unique flavors each one brings to the table. Italian sausage is seasoned boldly with herbs and spices like fennel, paprika, garlic and black pepper, giving it a distinctly savory taste. Ground beef has a more neutral flavor that provides a rich meaty bass note.
When combined, these two meats create a robust flavor profile that takes the best qualities of each. The spices and herbs in the Italian sausage add interest and depth, while the beef contributes hearty, meaty undertones.
Benefits of Cooking Italian Sausage and Ground Beef Together
Cooking Italian sausage and ground beef together offers a few advantages over using just one type of meat:
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More complex, deeper flavor – As mentioned above, combining these meats results in a more layered, nuanced flavor.
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Added moisture – The fat in the Italian sausage helps keep the ground beef juicy and tender.
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Versatility – The meat blend can be used in place of just sausage or just beef in a wide variety of recipes.
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Stretching budget-friendly ingredients – Using some sausage and some ground beef stretches more expensive sausage further.
Best Uses for the Meat Blend
Here are some of the most popular ways to use a blend of Italian sausage and ground beef:
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Pasta sauce – Cook the meat blend with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and red wine for a hearty Bolognese or ragu sauce.
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Lasagna – Mix the meats with ricotta and layer between lasagna noodles and cheese for a flavorful lasagna filling.
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Meatballs – Season the meat mixture with parsley, garlic, and Parmesan, then roll into balls and bake or simmer in tomato sauce.
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Chili – For a chili with deep, complex flavor, brown the meat blend with onions and chili powder before simmering in a tomato-based chili sauce.
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Stuffed peppers – Stuff bell peppers with the meat blend that’s been seasoned with garlic, herbs, rice, and cheese for a satisfying meal.
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Pizza topping – Cooked meat crumbles are a delicious topping for homemade or store-bought pizza.
Helpful Tips for Cooking
To get the most flavor and the best texture when cooking Italian sausage and ground beef together, keep these tips in mind:
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Brown the meats together in a skillet before adding to dishes to enhance flavor.
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Add a touch of oil to the pan to prevent sticking.
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Break up any large lumps of meat as it cooks.
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Cook until no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
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Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and basil to complement the sausage spices.
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For casseroles or dishes that bake, cover with foil at first to prevent overbrowning.
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For juicy meatballs, add some breadcrumbs to the mixture before forming into balls.
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Chilling the mixture for 30 minutes makes shaping easier for recipes like meatballs.
FAQs
Can you just mix the raw meats together?
Yes, you can mix the raw Italian sausage and ground beef together before cooking. Use clean hands to gently combine them until evenly distributed.
What ratio of sausage to beef should be used?
This depends on personal taste, but a 50/50 ratio is a good starting point. Adjust according to your preferences. Using more sausage packs extra flavor, while more beef makes it budget-friendly.
Is the meat safe to eat if some parts are brown and some still pink?
No, the meat blend needs to be cooked until no pink remains and it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F throughout to be safe to consume. Break up any larger pieces as it cooks.
Can the meat mixture be frozen for later use?
Absolutely! Portion it into recipe-sized amounts, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
What kinds of sausage work best?
The most common choices are sweet Italian sausage or hot Italian sausage, but you can also use spicy varieties like chorizo. Avoid heavily-seasoned breakfast sausage.
Satisfying, Flavorful Meals
Blending Italian sausage and ground beef is an easy way to add excitement and depth of flavor to everyday dinners. This versatile meat mixture can be used to make delicious versions of classics like spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, chili, meatloaf, sloppy joes, and so much more. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and proportions to find your perfect blend. Bon appétit!
Other Recipes to Try
Ingredients Used to Make this Italian Pasta Dish
Ground beef. I use lean ground beef. I find it gives me just the right amount of fat without having to drain. But use whatever you prefer, and drain if you like.
Italian sausage. There are different flavors that you can get. I get the mild, but I’d choose the hot if I didn’t have to cook for a child.
Onion. Use your favorite onion that you normally use. I generally go with the white or yellow. One medium onion makes about one cup once diced, and that is about all that you need.
Garlic. I love garlic, and always use fresh whenever possible!
Zucchini. I used about 3 small zucchini. As you stir-fry them they release their juices to flavor the rest of the ingredients in the pan. So yummy delicious!.
Bell Pepper. Choose your favorite bell peppers for this recipe. I like the orange, yellow and red, but green work too.
Crushed Tomatoes. I use canned crushed tomatoes because they are not only convenient, but cheap as well. You can always use fresh if you have them on hand.
Italian seasoning. You are welcome to use any favorite spice from the spice section instead of the one I used, which I made myself.
Fusilli pasta. You might be thinking that pasta is pasta, but really, this will taste great with any pasta you like. Regular pasta, gluten free, rice pasta, elbow pasta, you name it… it’ll work!.