Move over Prego: Hearty Pasta Sauce

The 15 minutes it takes to make pasta sauce is time well spent...if you ask me:)
My other mother, Becky, gave me an early appreciation for home made sauce, and the secret ingredient-a wee bit of sugar. Now I admit, not everyone will take to the hint of sweetness in their tomato sauce, but to me its a nice contrast to the savory flavor of the beef or sausage. Of course the remaining secrets to good sauce are obvious, good ingredients. While my recipe uses canned tomatoes, fresh or home canned are always preferred...
If you buy tomatoes canned, go for organic....

My wee one enjoying the sauce. What is not pictured is the large tarp underneath his high chair or the very necessary bath after he thoroughly enjoys his meal.

Hearty Pasta Sauce

1 lb. ground beef (or pork sausage)
1 med onion, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp dried orgegano (if using fresh herbs, used 1 Tbs.)
1 tsp dried basil (same as above)
2 14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes
1 14.5 oz. can tomato sauce
1 6oz. can tomato paste
1 Tbs. sucanat (or brown sugar)
1 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped

Brown meat over medium heat until 3/4 cooked, then add onion, pepper, and garlic and cooked until meat is browned and vegetables are soft. Add remainder of ingredients and let simmer for as little as 15-30 min.
Leftovers can easily be frozen for later use!