Divine Spaghetti Sauce

Recipe View 10 mins Brown beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Set aside. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 5 mins In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine the whole peeled tomatoes and tomato paste. Use an immersion blender or potato masher to achieve a smooth consistency. Cover and heat on low. (5 minutes)

Recipe View 8 mins In the skillet used for browning the beef, quickly sauté the chopped onion and celery over medium heat until translucent. Add them to the tomato sauce. (8 minutes)

Recipe View 7 mins In the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers and sliced mushrooms for a few minutes, ensuring they retain some firmness. Add to the tomato sauce. (7 minutes)

Recipe View 3 mins Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, fresh basil, minced garlic, and cooked ground beef into the tomato sauce. Mix well. (3 minutes)

Recipe View 3 hrs Remove the lid and allow the sauce to simmer over low heat for at least 3 hours, or ideally all day, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld and deepen. (180+ minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Serve the divine spaghetti sauce generously over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.