A Saucy, earthy, simple, and delicious easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce if you have a few ingredients on hand. Perfect to have at night when you are craving tasty homemade food.
I love pork meat, and I usually have ground pork on hand because it is really tasty and versatile. But sometimes, I get bored of making the same patties or meatballs.
That’s how this recipe was born, me trying to come up with a delicious and fun way to cook ground pork.
Try it for yourself; if you find any challenges on the way, leave me a comment, and I will be quick to help you out.
So let’s get cooking.
Ingredients you’ll need for this Easy ground pork recipe.
You will need a few ingredients to cook this easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce. But don’t worry; it is delicious regardless of its simplicity.
Olive oil:
Olive oil is most of the time the oil I use for my recipes. Unless I am making an Asian dish, I will go for olive oil. Why? nothing beats its flavor and its health benefits. Olive oil is also dense and will not burn that easily when overheated.
Red and Green Bell peppers:
This duo complements each other. Red bell peppers bring a sweet touch to any dish, and their intense red color makes any recipe pop up. Green peppers, on the other hand, have some notes of bitterness, which balances out the sweetness of the red peppers.
They both are packed with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, so I never doubt using them when the occasion calls for it.
Tomato Sauce:
The second most important ingredient of this recipe. Will add acidity and complexity to this dish.
Yellow Anion:
Anion is the queen of the kitchen, or so many people call it that way, and for a good reason. They add depth and complexity to this ground pork recipe. They bring notes of sweetness along with a slightly earthy touch.
Garlic:
Garlic can’t miss this party!! with its distinct aroma and buttery taste, makes this easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce and delicious addition.
Vegetable Stock:
For added flavor, I used vegetable stock. It was the one I had on hand, and it really enhanced this recipe. You can use any other stock you have in your pantry.
Dry spices:
- Cumin.
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Oregano or any substitute
- Salt
- Chicken broth powder
How to make this simple ground pork recipe.
- Start by turning on your stove to medium-high and heat the oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the ground pork meat in small portions opening it with your hands. This will prevent the meat from creating a big ball. You want your ground pork to stay ground.
- Cook until your meat starts to get lightly brown. The time that will take will depend on the pan you are using. It took me 3 minutes to saute the ground pork for this recipe, but it could take longer. Just make sure you don’t overcook it to the point that it burns. That could happen really fast. What we want at this point is to evaporate the water so we can incorporate the rent of the ingredients.
- It is time to add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Stir frequently so your spices don’t burn, and cook evenly.
- Wait until the onions are translucid and your kitchen is flooded with the aroma of the spices to add the dry ingredients. Make sure you stir and blend everything together.
- Add the tomato sauce and the stock.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and all that is left is a saucy thick salsa.
- Let it sit for a couple of minutes and serve.
Another great pork recipe is this pork vindaloo recipe.
Side dishes ideas
I am a big fan of rice. So rice would be my first choice of side dish for this saucy easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce.
If you are cutting on carbs and rice is out of your plate, try pairing this recipe with a salad of your choice. Any green salad will do well.
You could also serve this easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce with a bowl of cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice is easy to prepare, or if you have it on hand, you already have a headstart there.
If you are not on a low-carb diet, you could also serve this recipe with your favourite bread. Your options are endless here, don’t let your imagination stop you from having a great side dish.
This recipe goes well alone too. If you are in a rush and have no extra time to prepare anything else, don’t worry, this recipe serves as a whole meal by itself. Just as my frozen seafood mix recipe.
Cooking tips for the perfect easy ground pork recipe.
Be mindful of the pan you use to cook this easy ground pork recipe. If it is too thin, you run the risk of burning up the meat. The best pan would be an iron skillet. However, if you don’t have one in hand, make sure to prepare the ingredients before you start browning the ground pork, so you are quick to add them during each cooking stage.
As you add the wet ingredients, you will have less chance of overcooking the ground pork.
Also, don’t be afraid to improvise and add your own touch. If you don’t like cumin, for example, replace it with your favourite spices.
You might have your own mixture of spices, and it is ok to use it as well. The beauty of cooking is that you can let your creativity flow, and your dish might turn out to be even better than my recipe.
At the time of serving, if you want to impress your family, you could also sprinkle some fresh, finely cut herbs. Cilantro or parsley will add a hint of freshness and will make your dish pop.
How to store
Let it cool: Allow the cooked ground pork to cool down to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. This helps to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Store in the refrigerator: Place the cooked ground pork in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store it in the fridge. Cooked ground pork can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freeze for long-term storage: If you are not planning to use the cooked ground pork within 3-4 days, it can be frozen for longer storage. Portion the meat into small amounts and place them in freezer-safe, airtight containers or freezer bags. Label the containers or bags with the date and type of meat. Cooked ground pork can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Thaw properly: When you are ready to use frozen cooked ground pork, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave on the defrost setting. Ensure to reheat this easy ground pork recipe to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
Following these guidelines will help ensure that this ground pork recipe is safe and flavorful when stored and appropriately reheated.
Easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce
Equipment
- 1 Cooking Pan I used a sauce pan for this recipe. For better results, I recommend you use a cast iron casserole or frying pan becasue they distribute heat evently.
- 1 Wooden or silicon Saptula
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 Teaspoon cumin
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 Teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 Tablespoon chichen stock powder
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Turn on your stove to medium-high and heat the oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the ground pork meat in small portions opening it with your hands. This will prevent the meat from creating a big ball. You want your ground pork to stay ground.
- Stir and cook until your meat starts to dry. It will take about 3 minutes depending on the cooking pan you are using.
- add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Stir frequently so your spices don't burn, and cook evenly.
- Once the onions are tranlucid, add the dry ingredients.
- Add the diced tomatoes and the vegetable stock.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and all that is left is a saucy thick salsa.
- Turn off the heat and wait for a couple of minutes so ground pork flovour settles.
- Serve and enjoy with your favourite side dish
Video
FAQs about cooking ground pork
How long does it take to cook ground pork?
The cooking time for ground pork can vary depending on the method of cooking and the recipe you are using. This easy ground pork recipe with tomato sauce took me 15 minutes to reach the right doneness.
But in general, ground pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure that it is safe to eat.
Should I drain ground pork?
Whether or not you should drain ground pork depends on how you plan to use it in your recipe. In this easy ground pork recipe, I used lean ground pork, so I didn’t have to drain it.
However, if you are pan-frying ground pork, you should drain any excess fat that accumulates in the skillet. This will help prevent the pork from becoming greasy and will also make it easier to cook evenly. Simply tilt the skillet and use a spoon or spatula to remove any excess fat from the pan.
If you are using ground pork in a soup or stew, you may not need to drain it. The fat from the pork adds flavor to the dish and help to thicken the broth. But, if you prefer a less fatty broth, you can cook the pork separately and drain any excess fat before adding it to the soup or stew.
In general, it’s a good idea to remove excess fat from ground pork to make it healthier and more flavorful. However, if the fat is integral to the recipe, such as in sausage or meatballs, you may want to leave it in for the desired taste and texture.
Do you need oil to cook ground pork?
If you are pan-frying the ground pork, you will likely need to use a small amount of oil to prevent it from sticking to the skillet and to help it brown evenly. You can use any type of cooking oil that you prefer, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.
If you are baking or boiling the ground pork, you do not need to add any oil to the cooking process. The pork will cook in its own juices and will not stick to the baking dish or pot.
If you are grilling the ground pork, you may not need to use oil, depending on the fat content of the pork. If the pork is very lean, you may want to brush it with a small amount of oil to prevent it from drying out on the grill.
In general, adding a small amount of oil can help to improve the flavor and texture of ground pork when pan-frying, but it is not always necessary for other cooking methods.
