The Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Gluten free

• Meat

  • 2 lbs Ground beef or lean ground turkey, lean

• Produce

  • 2 cans (14-ounces each italian-style diced tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes
  • 2 cans (28-ounces each crushed tomatoes
  • 3 tsp Basil, dried
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 8 oz Button or baby bella mushrooms
  • 5 cloves Garlic
  • 2 cups Onion
  • 3 tsp Oregano, dried
  • 1 Red bell pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp Thyme, dried

• Canned Goods

  • 1 1/2 cups Beef stock or beef broth
  • 1 can Tomato paste

• Condiments

  • 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt, coarse

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil

Found on melskitchencafe.com

Description

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups onion, chopped and divided
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 pounds lean ground beef or lean ground turkey
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded, cored and coarsely chopped
• 1 can (12-ounces) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon coarse, kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 3 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 cans (14-ounces each) Italian-style diced tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes
• 2 cans (28-ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 8 ounces button or baby bella mushrooms, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups beef stock or beef broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 cup of the chopped onions, and sauté until translucent and slightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring constantly for a minute or so.
• Add beef, and cook, breaking into small pieces, until it is no longer pink, 6-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
• In a blender or food processor, blend remaining 1 cup onion and the red pepper until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pot with the beef and onions.
• Add the tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and thyme, and cook for 1 minute, stirring until combined.
• Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms (if using), beef broth, and sugar. Stir until combined before adding the bay leaves.
• Bring the sauce to a boil, and then reduce to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and let the sauce rest for 10-15 minutes (for the flavor to absorb) before serving.