Quick Basil Tomato Meat Sauce Rice Bowl
A quick, flavorful, and affordable weeknight dinner featuring a savory, rich tomato and minced meat sauce poured over warm rice, finished with fresh basil.
This simple meat sauce relies on the natural sweetness of tomatoes and a savory boost from oyster sauce to create a deeply flavorful topping in just minutes. Using frozen blanched tomatoes is a clever prep-ahead trick that yields a wonderfully juicy sauce without the need for extra water or long simmering times.
Ingredients
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 250 g minced meat (pork or beef)
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 2 portions steamed rice
- optional water
Instructions
- 1Prepare the tomatoes
Prepare the tomatoes by blanching them to easily remove the skins, then chop them into small pieces. Placing them on a plate makes them easy to add to the pan later.
Tip: If you freeze your tomatoes, they will release plenty of juice when thawed, which adds great flavor to the sauce. - 2Mince the meat and onions
Use a manual meat grinder to mince the meat and red onions together. This ensures the flavors are well-integrated for a uniform texture.
Tip: If you dont have a meat grinder, you can buy pre-ground meat and finely chop the onions by hand. - 3Sauté the meat and onions
Add the minced meat and onion mixture to a hot pan. Stir-fry over medium-high heat until the mixture turns golden brown and fragrant.
Tip: Sautéing until golden helps develop a deep, savory base flavor for the sauce. - 4Add tomatoes to the pan
Add the prepared chopped tomatoes into the pan with the browned meat and onions. Stir to combine, allowing the tomatoes to break down and release their juices.
Tip: If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a small splash of water, though the juice from the tomatoes is usually sufficient. - 5Season the sauce
Pour oyster sauce and ketchup into the pan. Stir well to coat all ingredients and let the sauce simmer for a minute or two to deepen the flavor.
Tip: The ketchup helps enhance the natural sweetness and tanginess of the tomatoes. - 6Add fresh basil
Finally, add a handful of fresh basil leaves to the pan. Stir them into the sauce briefly until they wilt and release their fragrant aroma.
Tip: If you dont have fresh basil, you can substitute it with green onions for a different but equally delicious flavor profile.
