Classic Italian Meat Sauce

By bdjrempel

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 4 mild Italian sausages, casings removed
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 sweet pepper (red, orange or yellow), diced
• 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 28oz cans of crushed tomatoes
• 1 5.5 oz can of tomato paste (about 2/3 cup)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp basil
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp fennel seeds

Preparation

Step 1

Brown the ground beef and sausage meat in a large saucepan on medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small chunks while it is cooking. Continue to do this until it is all cooked through and you no longer see any pink. Drain the grease.

Add the onion, pepper, mushrooms and garlic. Stir regularly and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions and peppers are tender.

Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a low boil and lower heat to a simmer.

Let the sauce simmer for 45-60 minutes. Stir the sauce regularly, scraping the bottom of the saucepan to ensure nothing is sticking or burning.