Name: Meat Sauce A Teenager Can Make
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground pork meat ((or beef)); 1 small/medium onion; 2 tbsp olive oil ((or butter)); 1 cup milk; 1 tbsp flour; 1.5 tsp salt ((1 tsp added to the meat, and 1/2 along with milk; adjust to taste)); 1/2 tsp ground black pepper; fresh dill ((optional))

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We're a busy family with plenty of errands and four kids-two of them teenagers-so we truly appreciate quick, easy dinner recipes our teenage daughters can help make to lighten the load. This meat sauce is one of the simplest dishes to prepare, yet it's also one of our all-time favorites (translation: no leftovers!).

A serving of minced meat sauce with mashed potatoes and sliced pickle on the side.

Served with creamy mashed potatoes, it consistently earns standing ovations at our dinner table. And the best part? Even a teenager can whip it up in under 30 minutes. Let me show you how!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Chopped onion in a chopper, view from above.

1. Chop one small onion either with a knife or using a vegetable chopper.

Chopped onion being fried in a black skillet.

2. Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of olive oil (or butter), then the chopped onion. Sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes.

3. Add the ground meat. Season with salt and ground black pepper, and cook until the meat develops a light golden crust, stirring occasionally.

Minced meat in a skillet with flour sprinkled on top.

4. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw taste.

Milk being poured over minced meat in a skillet.

5. Pour in the milk, adjust the seasoning with salt to taste, then reduce the heat slightly. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

Minced meat sauce in a skillet with fresh herbs sprinkled on top.

6. Remove from heat and serve immediately with mashed or boiled potatoes (or your favorite side). Garnish with freshly chopped dill.

⭐ Use a 1:1 mixture of milk and heavy cream for an even creamier and richer sauce.

See? Easy and delicious! We like making this sauce with pork, beef, or a mix of both. It's a perfect and affordable recipe for Sunday meal prep-store it in the fridge for a few days, and you'll have a ready-to-go sauce for quick weeknight dinners with potatoes or pasta.

Meat Sauce A Teenager Can Make

Foodywise Editorial Team

This is one of our go-to family dinners - quick, easy, and always a hit! It's also a great starter recipe for teens who are just learning to cook, since it comes together in under 30 minutes with simple steps.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Dinner

Servings 6

Calories 394 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground pork meat (or beef)
1 small/medium onion
2 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon flour
1.5 teaspoon salt (1 teaspoon added to the meat, and ½ along with milk; adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
fresh dill (optional)

Instructions

Chop the onion, either with a knife or using a vegetable chopper.
Preheat a skillet, add a bit of olive oil (or butter), then the chopped onion. Sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes.
Add the ground meat. Season with salt and ground black pepper, and cook until the meat develops a light golden crust, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Pour in the milk, adjust seasoning with salt to taste, then reduce the heat slightly. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Remove from heat and serve immediately with mashed or boiled potatoes (or your favorite side). Garnish with freshly chopped dill (optional).

Notes

For a variation, try using beef instead of pork, or a mix of the two.
For a dairy-free option, substitute plant-based milk.
This sauce pairs beautifully with mashed or boiled potatoes, buckwheat, or pasta.