LOTS O'VEGGIES SAUSAGE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Lots O'Veggies Sausage Spaghetti Sauce image

This Italian sausage and ground beef recipe is full of vegetables and Italian herbs -- the longer it cooks the better! Full of flavor, and makes a great base sauce for lasagna. It's critical to use fresh basil, other herbs may be dried. Do not use canned tomatoes which have any corn syrup in them. Home canned tomato equivalent is 3 quarts. If you want a spicier sauce add either crushed red pepper to taste or use hot Italian sausage.

Provided by Debra Steward

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato

Time 3h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 pound lean ground beef
¼ cup olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, quartered and sliced
12 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 carrots, shredded
4 ounces fresh basil, julienned
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
3 (28 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes

Steps:

In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook sausage and ground beef until brown. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Set aside.
In a large stock pot or Dutch oven heat oil over medium heat. Cook onions in oil until translucent. Stir in green and red bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and carrots and cook until just tender. Add browned sausage and ground beef. Stir in basil, spinach, thyme, oregano, garlic, sugar and salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 5 minutes. Pour in tomatoes, stir well, reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 339.4 calories, Carbohydrate 18.3 g, Cholesterol 45.2 mg, Fat 20.7 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 18.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 803.2 mg, Sugar 10.5 g