It took me a long time (and a lot of tasteless results) to finally come up with the best homemade spaghetti sauce. I can't claim any Italian in my ancestry, nor do I think I could beat their recipes in a taste test, but I think I might at least give them a good run for their money.

This recipe can use either fresh ingredients or dried spices and canned produce for a quick, wholesome meal when you don't have time to run to the store.

Also, this recipe contains ground beef for a meaty sauce.

Need it to be vegetarian? Want just a classic tomato sauce?

No problem. Just leave out the ground beef. This hearty, chunky recipe is great both ways!

So get cooking and please let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

1 lbs. ground beef

3 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

5 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 large red onion, diced

1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, or 2-3 large fresh tomatoes, diced

1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes, pureed

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp dried oregano

2 Tbsp dried basil or 4 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

1/4 tsp thyme

1 tsp sugar

Steps:

Boil your favorite pasta per package directions.

Brown ground beef and drain.

Saute garlic and onions in butter and olive oil for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add in ground beef, tomatoes, tomato puree, salt, oregano, thyme, basil, garlic powder, sugar, and simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally.

Serve over pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Notes:

This recipe serves 4 - 6 people