Rich and Flavorful Meat Sauce

Ingredients

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Salt

1 teaspoon, or to taste

Black pepper

1/2 teaspoon, or to taste

Granulated sugar

1 teaspoon

Dried oregano

1 teaspoon

Dried basil

1 teaspoon

Crushed tomatoes

28 ounces (1 can)

Tomato paste

2 tablespoons

Tomato sauce

15 ounces (1 can)

Garlic

4 cloves, minced

Onion

1 large, finely chopped

Ground beef

1 pound

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, cooking until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown the meat until fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.
7. Serve the meat sauce hot over your favorite pasta, or use it as a filling for lasagna. Garnish with fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.