Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp oregano
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (12oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
Heat olive oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once heated, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Add vegetables: Stir in the chopped onion, minced garlic, green pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Season: Add the bay leaf, oregano, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and bring out their flavors.
Add tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and the flavors will deepen.
Final touches: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve: Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti, and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Enjoy your homemade spaghetti sauce!