Italian American Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients:

This recipe can be divided in order to serve less than 20 people, or it can be multiplied and taken to a homeless shelter. As shown, this costs just over $1 a serving.

- 2lb. Ground Beef
- 2 32 oz. Cans Plum Tomatoes, or Diced Tomatoes instead if desired
- 1 32 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes
- 2 6 oz. Cans Tomato Paste
- 1 6 oz Can Tomato Sauce
- 2 Large Vidalia Onions (or Mayan Sweet Onions if the Vidalias are not in
season)
- Minced Garlic, Oregano, Basil to Taste
- 1/2 Cup Red Wine, if desired

Step 1:

Preheat the skillet to medium-high and add the brown the meat with as much garlic as you want. This is a big batch, so I'm using about 5 tbsp.

Step 2:

The sweet onions have such a mild flavor that I like to slice them, as shown here. Chopped onions work just as well. Sautee the onions in the olive oil for about 15 minutes with the oregano, basil, and garlic. This step will make your kitchen smell great!

Step 3:

Cook the sauce over medium low heat for 30 minutes and add the browned meat. Stir very often, making sure to mush up the tomatoes. At this stage, you'll still have some chunks.

Step 4:

Cook for at least 90 minutes to let the flavors come together. At this point, the sauce is ready to go if you want it thick like this, or you can finish it with some red wine to thin it and give it some tang while you make the pasta. Large Shells are good, but be careful to drain them well or they will water down the sauce. Spaghetti and Ziti are also good choices for the pasta.