Olive Garden Recipes

Three Meat Sauce – Easy Olive Garden Copycat

Three Meat Sauce – Easy Olive Garden Copycat

This homemade Olive Garden Three Meat Sauce is thick, super flavorful, and honestly kinda addictive. It’s loaded with ground beef, Italian sausage, and a hit of pepperoni — perfect for pasta nights when you want something filling without a ton of effort. Makes a big batch too, so yeah… meal prep win.

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Quick Summary

  • Prep time: 10 mins
  • Cook time: 30 mins
  • Flavor: Rich, meaty, just a bit spicy
  • Great for: Cozy dinners, leftovers, pasta cravings

Why I Like This Recipe

This sauce was a “what can I make that feeds me and makes me feel like I’ve done something today” kinda dish. I had meat in the fridge, marinara in the pantry, and like… a vague craving for something warm and saucy. It all came together fast, and now it’s just one of those go-tos. Also? The pepperoni thing? Total game-changer.

Ingredients

  • 48 oz marinara sauce (2 jars)
  • 16 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • ½ cup pepperoni, chopped real small
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

How To Make Three Meat Sauce

  1. Sauté the onions: Olive oil in a big pot, medium heat. Toss in the chopped onions and let ’em soften for about 5–7 mins — you’ll smell when they’re ready.
  2. Add marinara + tomatoes: Dump in the marinara and crushed tomatoes. Stir a little, then lower the heat and just let it chill there while we deal with the meat.
  3. Brown the beef + sausage : In another pan, cook the ground beef and sausage together. Break it up, get it all browned — no pink left. Drain the fat or your sauce’ll be swimming.
  4. Combine everything: Back to the big pot — stir in the cooked meat, chopped pepperoni, and seasoning. Give it a good mix so it all starts blending.
  5. Simmer time: Let it go for 20 minutes on low heat. Stir it now and then. Taste it at the end — might not need salt, depends on how salty your meats are.
Three Meat Sauce – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
Three Meat Sauce – Easy Olive Garden Copycat

Tips for Success

  • Use a marinara that’s not packed with sugar — go for one with minimal ingredients.
  • Drain that meat. I know, annoying, but grease ruins this sauce.
  • Chop the pepperoni super small. If it’s chunky, it kinda hijacks every bite.
  • Simmer the full 20 mins. Trust me — it changes the whole thing.
  • Don’t salt too early. The sausage and pepperoni usually bring enough.

Storage and Reheating

  • Fridge: Cool it down first. Then pop it in an airtight container — it keeps well for 4 days.
  • Freezer: Same deal — cool first. Store flat in a freezer bag or container. Lasts up to 3 months.
  • Reheat: Just use a pot on low heat. Stir often. Don’t microwave unless you’re truly desperate.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use just one meat?
    Yeah, totally. Just beef or just sausage works — it’s still good, just not as meaty.
  • Is this spicy?
    Not really, but if you use spicy sausage or pepperoni, it can get a little kicky.
  • Best pasta to pair it with?
    Rigatoni or penne. Something that catches the sauce. Spaghetti kinda slips too much.
  • Can I make this ahead?
    Yep. It actually gets better after a day in the fridge. The flavors meld.
  • Does it need cheese on top?
    I mean… not need, but also yes. Parm or mozz, go wild.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

  • Using sugary marinara: Some jarred sauces are loaded with sugar. Taste it first — if it’s too sweet, your sauce’ll taste like spaghetti candy.
  • Not draining the fat: Please don’t skip this. Unless you love greasy sauce floating with orange puddles.
  • Chunky pepperoni bits: If it’s not chopped small enough, it kinda takes over. Dice it up like it owes you money.
  • Rushing the simmer: You’ll miss out on the magic. Give it 20 minutes. That’s when it gets all cozy and blended.
  • Over-salting at the start: This sauce has sausage and pepperoni. Taste at the end, not the beginning. Learned that the hard way.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 378 kcal
  • Total Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 72mg
  • Sodium: 1235mg
  • Potassium: 859mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 8g
  • Protein: 18g

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Three Meat Sauce – Easy Olive Garden Copycat

Recipe by LuluCourse: DinnerCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

378

kcal

Rich, meaty pasta sauce with beef, sausage, and pepperoni — thick, flavorful, and ridiculously satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 48 oz marinara sauce

  • 16 oz crushed tomatoes

  • 1 cup chopped onions

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 lb Italian sausage

  • ½ cup pepperoni

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Directions

  • Sauté chopped onions in olive oil until soft.
  • Add marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Simmer on low.
  • In another pan, brown the beef and sausage. Drain fat.
  • Stir meats, pepperoni, and seasoning into the sauce.
  • Simmer everything together for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Taste and season as needed. Serve over pasta.

Notes

  • Pick a good marinara — simple and unsweetened.
  • Chop the pepperoni tiny so it melts in.
  • Don’t skip the simmer — it’s where the flavor builds.
  • Taste before salting. Seriously.

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