This has been our Go to recipe for 5 years! EVERYONE loves it. We double the recipe and use 1lb ground beef with 1lb ground Italian sausage (we have done both, mild and hot and either are delicious. My husband prefers the mild Italian sausage) in the doubled recipe, I use 1 (14oz can) diced fire roasted garlic tomatoes, 1 (14oz can) diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions, 1 (14oz can) diced tomatoes in Basil and oregano, 2 (29oz cans) tomato sauce, 1 (12oz can tomato paste + 1 (6oz can) tomato paste, 1 onion (chopped in ninja blender) 2 bell peppers (chopped in ninja blender) 6 garlic cloves (minced in ninja blender) 1 celery stalk minced in ninja blender, 1 teaspoon Fresh Parsley (chopped) 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning, 4 teaspoons oregano, 4 teaspoons dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon white pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon brown sugar (it cuts the acidity- does not make it sweet or sugary. You can always start with justa 1/2 teaspoon and taste 15-20 mins later to see if you want to add more.)
We brown our meat first, then drain. (To preserve all the flavors of the vegetables) also, you want to pre-sauté your garlic and onions in order to bring out their true beautiful flavors, so In a separate Dutch oven pot I add olive oil and bring to temp. add garlic, cook til fragrant. Add onions, cook til slightly soft and transparent. Add green peppers, cook til slightly soft. Next add the cooked meat and the rest of the ingredients. Cook for at least 1 hour, stir and taste every 30 mins.
