Name: Easy Olive Garden Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe (Copycat)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 48 ounces marinara sauce (2 jars); 1 pound ground beef; 1 pound ground Italian sausage; 3/4 cup pepperoni - chopped; 16 ounces chopped tomatoes (1 can); 1 medium yellow onion - chopped; 2 fresh garlic cloves - minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon black pepper; Optional - Fresh parmesan cheese

Jump to Recipe

This is such a delicious easy Olive Garden copycat recipe! What makes this sauce so good is the variety of meats.

White bowl with spaghetti noodles and tomato and meat sauce on top of noodles. There is fresh basil leaves on top of sauce. In the background there is a white plate with a green salad on it and a white cloth napkin. Items are on a light gray surface.

There are three different kinds. Hearty ground beef, Italian sausage, and pepperoni. I think the pepperoni adds the kicker to the sauce!

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8-10
Prep Level: Beginner +

What You’ll Love

Budget friendly – It’s made with grocery store bought marinara and canned tomatoes.
Fast & easy – It’s an easy recipe, ready in about an hour with minimal prep.
Leftovers are delicious – This sauce is even better the next day.
Versatile – Use ground turkey instead of beef, make it spicy, or add more herbs for your liking.
Kid-friendly – Simple flavors everyone will love!

Ingredient Notes

Two jars of RAO'S marinara sauce, large white bowl with chopped tomatoes in sauce, large white bowl with raw ground beef and ground sausage, medium white bowl with sliced pepperoni, small white ramekin with olive oil in it. There is a yellow onion, a wooden spoon with ground Italian seasoning, and 2 cloves of garlic. All the items are on a light gray surface with a white subway tile back splash.

Sauce: Look for a high-quality marinara or traditional pasta sauce. Brands like Rao’s, Classico, or Barilla are great choices for a richer, more authentic taste.
Pasta: Classic spaghetti works best for that Olive Garden feel, but you can also use angel hair, fettuccine, or even penne if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chopped onion in olive oil cooking in a large white ceramic pot

Marinara Sauce with a pile of chopped pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic on top in a white ceramic pot.

In a dutch oven or large pot, saute onions in the olive oil over medium high heat until they are translucent.
Add the marinara sauce, tomatoes, pepperoni, garlic, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Turn the heat to low.

There is a large black cast iron round pan with raw ground beef in it. There is a black meat chopper utensil resting in the pan. Pan is on a dark gray surface.

Cooked Ground Beef and Sausage in mesh strainer.

In a large skillet combine the beef and sausage. Use a ground meat chopper to break up the meat. Brown meat over medium heat.
Use a mesh strainer and drain the meat to remove the fat.

Ground beef and ground sausage on top of marinara sauce in a large white ceramic pot. There is a wooden spoon in the pot.

Spaghetti Sauce with meat cooking in a large white ceramic pot.

Stir the cooked meat into the sauce. Let the sauce come to a low boil and then lower heat and simmer.
Serve with your favorite pasta. Follow package directions for tender pasta.

See the recipe card below for complete measurements and cook times.

White bowl with spaghetti noodles and tomato and meat sauce on top of noodles. There is fresh basil leaves on top of sauce. There is a bread stick lying on the rim of the bowl. In the background there is a white plate with a green salad on it. Items are on a light gray surface.

Slow Cooker Method

Brown the meat first, then combine the rest of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Make Ahead & Storing

The sauce tastes even better the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

What to Serve with Olive Garden Meat Sauce

Pair this pasta sauce with:

Crispy Brussels sprouts – Adds a nutritious crunch.
Steamed Broccoli
Breadsticks or Garlic Bread from Miss In The Kitchen – Perfect for dipping.
Side Salad – A fresh, light contrast to the rich sauce.
A Glass of Red Wine – Chianti, Cabernet, or a smooth red blend enhances the Italian flavors.

Fun Fact

The most popular pasta in the United States as well as the world is spaghetti!

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There is a piece of bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top on a white plate. There is a light brown sauce poured over the pudding and ice cream. There is a fork with a piece of pudding on it rest on the plate. In the background there is a tan cloth napkin and a small white bowl with a light brown sauce in it. Items are on a wood surface.

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Yield: 10 servings

Easy Olive Garden Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe (Copycat)

A delicious and easy Olive Garden copycat recipe. Made with jarred marinara sauce, canned tomatoes, and three different types of meat.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

48 ounces marinara sauce (2 jars)
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground Italian sausage
3/4 cup pepperoni – chopped
16 ounces chopped tomatoes (1 can)
1 medium yellow onion – chopped
2 fresh garlic cloves – minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional – Fresh parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a dutch oven or large pot, saute onions in the olive oil over medium heat until they are translucent.
Add the marinara sauce, tomatoes, pepperoni, garlic, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Turn the heat to low.
In a large skillet combine the beef and sausage. Use a ground meat chopper to break up the meat.
Brown meat over medium heat.
Use a mesh strainer and drain the meat to remove the fat.
Stir the cooked meat into the sauce. Let the sauce come to a low boil and then lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with your favorite pasta. Follow package directions for tender pasta.

Notes

Helpful Tips

If you are feeding a lager crowd (over 10 people), use 3-4 jars of sauce. It will not be as meaty but will still have awesome flavor.

If you have leftove rs, I recommend storing the sauce and the pasta together in an airtight container. It is easier to reheat. The sauce keeps the pasta tender and moist.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 451Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 1246mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 26g

Easy Olive Garden Spaghetti Meat Sauce (Copycat)

What You’ll Love

Ingredient Notes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Slow Cooker Method

Make Ahead & Storing