Ultimate Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

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 don’t have the time to monitor a pot on the stove or in the oven.

Serve sauce with your favorite cooked pasta.