Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients:
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1½ lbs lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 bay leaf
¼ tsp oregano
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (12 oz) can tomato sauce
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Brown the Ground Beef: In a large saucepan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, green pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the pan. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent.
Add the Seasonings: Stir in the bay leaf, oregano, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and sugar. Let the spices bloom for about 1-2 minutes.
Add the Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.
Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
Final Adjustments: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it’s too acidic, add a pinch more sugar to balance it out.
Serve: Once the sauce is thickened and flavorful, remove the bay leaf. Spoon over your favorite pasta, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
