Ultimate Spaghetti with Meat Sauce - ground beef

Method

• Heat oil in a large ovenproof pot or cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Remove casings from Italian sausage.
• Brown hamburger and sausage in the pot, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
• As meat is browning, place onion, bell pepper and garlic cloves in a food processor and pulse until chopped.
• Add vegetable mixture to meat and cook until onion becomes translucent.
• Add the basil, oregano, marjoram, pepper flakes, bay leaves, salt, pepper and sugar.
• Mix well to incorporate flavors.
• When meat is entirely browned and vegetables are cooked add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste and wine.
• Heat the mixture until just barely boiling and reduce heat to simmer.
• Add the grated parmesan and stir to mix thoroughly into sauce.
• Method 1 Continue to cook on stove, uncovered for 2-3 hours stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• This is the the method I typically use.
• Method 2 Heat oven to 200 degrees F. Cover pot or Dutch oven leaving lid slightly ajar to allow excess steam to escape.
• Bake sauce in oven for 2-3 hours.
• Method 3 Transfer sauce to an electric crock pot or slow cooker.
• Keep lid slightly ajar with a toothpick in order to allow excess steam to escape.
• Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
• This method results in a slightly runnier sauce, but is great if you dont have the time to monitor a pot on the stove or in the oven.
• Serve sauce with your favorite cooked pasta.