MEL'S LOADED SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Mel's Loaded Spaghetti Sauce image

Provided by Melanie Irwin

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 18

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1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb italian sausage (mild or sweet-i prefer the sweet)
3/4 c green bell pepper
3/4 c red bell pepper
1 medium onions, vidalia, peeled and chopped
2 small bay leaves
1 c mushrooms, fresh and sliced
3 can(s) tomatoes, canned italian-style and diced(do not drain)
1 large can tomato paste
1/4 c sugar
2 Tbsp basil (can be adjusted to taste)
2 Tbsp italian seasonings
2 clove garlic
2 tsp salt
2 tsp coarse ground pepper
1 tsp chili powder (secret #1)
1 tsp cumin (secret #2)
1 can(s) or frozen spinach (drained)

Steps:

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of EVOO in 5 qt skillet & saute grated garlic cloves. Crumble beef and sausage together and brown. Add onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms and allow to saute with meat for appx 25 minutes. Then add seasonings. (filet of anchovie can be substituted for salt, just saute with garlic in EVOO!)
2. Add tomato paste and blend into mixture (hint:I use the hottest water from my faucet to get last dregs from can and add to mixture to help with blending). Then add 3 cans of diced tomatoes (using water to rinse cans of dregs and add to sauce-2 1/2 cans of water). Drain and add spinach.
3. Allow to simmer, just below medium (depending on your stove), for 1 hour.