130 meat sauce recipes

Turn leftover pasta, rice, meat, and vegetables into a bubbling casserole with a quick homemade white sauce. The ultimate fridge-clearing dinner, ready in an hour.

Roasted red peppers blended with sour cream and a touch of heat create a vibrant Mexican sauce perfect for tacos, enchiladas, grilled meats, or veggie bowls.

Vietnamese-style marinade with nuoc mam (fish sauce), shallots, garlic, peanut oil, and sugar. A tangy, umami-rich five-minute marinade for grilled meats and seafood.

Fresh tomatillo green sauce with jalapenos, cumin, cilantro, and garlic sauteed in vegetable stock. A low-fat, bright salsa verde for tacos, enchiladas, and grilled meats.

Make-ahead taco meat with ground beef, onion, cumin, and tomato sauce. A freezer-friendly batch base for taco nights, burritos, nachos, and quick weeknight bowls.

Thai green mango dip with shrimp paste, fish sauce, garlic, and lime juice pounded in a mortar. A sour, salty, funky condiment for grilled meats and vegetables.

Cucumber yogurt sauce with shredded cucumber, dill, scallions, and a splash of vinegar. A cool, tangy tzatziki-style dip that pairs with grilled meats, pita, or appetizers.

Taco lentils simmer green lentils until tender, then bake them in a smoky pureed ancho chile and tomato sauce spiced with cumin and chili. A high-protein, high-fiber vegan stand-in for taco meat.

Salata tahina, a creamy Middle Eastern tahini sauce with crushed garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and parsley. Serve as a mazza dip, salad dressing, or drizzle for grilled meats.

Smoky chipotle-ancho chili pesto with roasted red bell pepper, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. A bold, vegan Mexican-inspired sauce for pasta, grilled meats, or sandwiches.

Dry-roasted almonds and pistachios get ground into a silky cream sauce perfumed with saffron threads, coriander, and warm spices for draping over grilled meats or simmering with meatballs.

Rich tomato gravy spiked with brandy, beef broth, and meat extract paste, thickened with a butter roux. A savory pour-over sauce that elevates roasts, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes.

A fragrant homemade Chinese ten-spice blend with toasted star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, coriander, and cumin. Toast, grind, and store for marinades, stir-fries, sauces, and meat rubs.

Vegetarian cabbage rolls stuffed with tofu, pearl barley, bulgur, rice, and pine nuts, baked low and slow in a sweet-tangy tomato sauce. A hearty, meat-free comfort classic.

Lamb steaks braised in dry apple cider with crystallized ginger, English mustard, apple, and yogurt. A British-style casserole with a sweet-sharp sauce and tender, fall-apart meat.

Red wine, tomato, and rosemary sauce simmers a French mirepoix with red wine, tomato paste, and fresh rosemary, then thickens with arrowroot for a glossy, fat-free finish. Versatile for meats, polenta, and pasta.