Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
• ½ pound bulk Italian pork sausage
• 6 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large yellow onions, chopped
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cans tomato sauce
• 12 ounces tomato paste
• 1 can Italian red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ cup dried Italian seasoning
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 bunch fresh oregano, chopped
• 2 handfuls fresh basil, sliced
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Brown ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet.

At the same time, in a Dutch oven, saute garlic and onion in olive oil until tender and onions turn translucent. When the meat is cooked, drain off as much fat as possible and add to the garlic and onion; mix well.

Add tomato sauce and tomato paste, mixing well after each addition. Add up to one can (tomato sauce) of red wine, or any mixture of red wine & water. Add dried Italian seasoning and sugar. Stir to combine all ingredients, then let simmer over low heat for three hours, stirring occasionally.

Stir in fresh herbs the last few minutes of cooking.

Notes

This is easy to make a large quantity and freeze in meal-size portions.

Categories

beef, family recipe, main dishes, pasta, pork, sauces, signature