Weeknight Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients :

• Meat & Veggies:
• 2 lbs ground beef (or use ground turkey or Italian sausage)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1–2 tbsp chopped garlic
  Tomatoes & Base:
• 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
  (Use tomato sauce for smoother texture, or diced/stewed for chunkier sauce)
• 1 (10 oz) can tomato paste + 2 cans of water
  Flavor Boosters:
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1–2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp hot sauce
  Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions : 

1. Brown the Meat: In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the ground beef with diced onion and bell pepper over medium-high heat until fully browned. Drain the excess fat.
2. Build the Base: Push the meat and veggies to the side. Add olive oil to the pan and stir in the garlic.
3. Let it cook just 1–2 minutes until fragrant—don’t let it brown.
4. Thicken It Up: Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir well to coat everything. Cook for 1 minute to get rid of the raw flour taste.
5. Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and two cans of water. Then pour in the crushed tomatoes (or your preferred variety). Mix everything well.
   Season It Right: Add Italian seasoning, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly.
6. Simmer for Flavor: If you’re in a hurry, you can serve it once it’s hot—but for best flavor, let it simmer uncovered for at least 30–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. The longer it simmers, the richer it gets!
8. Tips:
   Want a richer sauce? Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a few sautéed mushrooms.
   Got time? Let it simmer low and slow for a few hours. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
   Nutritional Information:
   Prep Time: 15 mins | Cooking Time: 45 mins | Total Time: 1 hour
   Calories per serving: ~280 (without pasta) Serves: 8–10
   Bon appétit and happy cooking!