Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

I so love good Meat sauce... I call it spaghetti sauce, or marinara with meat... It is super easy and yummy... I make two versions both are similiar... one uses store bought sauce that I doctor up and the other uses canned tomatoes..both are yummy.... one is just a little easier than the other... just like any sauce it always, always tastes better cooled, and placed in the fridge overnight to let the flavors blend together.... also I always use some brown sugar & a little cinnamon in my sauce.. it just gives it a little sweetness that is awesome... you can add whatever veggies you like... I usually always happen to have these on hand... I am giving you both recipes... make whatever you have time for.... the "semi-homemade" one you can have on the table in about 20 minutes.... about the time it takes to boil the water and cook pasta... serve with a salad, and bread and you have a really yummy meal.  I serve this with shredded parmesan.. it is just optional but it tastes so very good this way... you can also put a little drizzle of olive oil on top also.. just for added flavor... enjoy


Meat Sauce -Homemade
1 lb. ground beef
1 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large can crushed tomatoes in sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1/4 cup red wine
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 T. worchester sauce
seasonings of your choice ( I use seasoned salt, pepper bay leaf, pinch of cinnamon & crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, dried parsley and dried thyme)
Cooked pasta
Parmesan Cheese, shredded

In large pan place olive oil adding celery, carrots,onion, & green pepper, season with salt & pepper sauting for 2-3 minutes.  Add ground beef & seasoned salt & pepper cook until meat is almost done add garlic cooking until fragrant and meat & veggies are done.  Add remaining ingredients stirring well.  Bring to a boil turn heat down to low and simmer for about 1-2 hours stirring often .  Taste sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary.  Add cooked pasta to sauce and mixing well with tongs coat pasta with sauce.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve with addtional cheese on the side.  Enjoy




Meat Sauce-" Semi- homemade"

1 lb ground beef
1 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled & chopped (or can use preshredded carrots about a 1/2 cup)
1/4 green pepper, finely chopped
1 jar spaghetti sauce, ( use the one with vegetables in it, always trying to sneak in veggies to the kids :)
1 small can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 T. worchester sauce
2-3 T. red wine
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup brown sugar
seasonings of your choice ( I use seasoned salt, pepper bay leaf, pinch of cinnamon & crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, dried parsley and dried thyme)
Cooked pasta,
Shredded parmesan cheese


In large pan, place olive oil in a pan over medium high heat.  Add onion, carrot, green pepper, & celery sprinkle with salt & pepper.  Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until slightly softened.  Add garlic clove and meat breaking meat up with spoon.  Cook until meat is done and vegetables are soft.  Drain if necessary.  Place meat mixture back into pan (if drained) and de-glaze pan with the worchester sauce & red wine stirring well.  Add remaining ingredients and stir well.  Bring to a boil and turn down heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until heated through and bubbly.  Taste sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary.  Add cooked pasta to pan and mix well with tongs coating pasta with sauce.  Sprinkle with shredded parmesan and serve with additional.   Enjoy