This traditional, thick pasta sauce is a cinch to prepare. It has a pleasantly mild flavor and goes with any kind of cooked pasta. If you like, use ground turkey or chicken instead of the beef.—Cathy Johnson, Somerset, Pennsylvania
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 can (29 ounces) tomato sauce
2-1/2 cups tomato juice
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 bay leaves
Hot cooked spaghetti
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
1In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and celery over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. In a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomato sauce, tomato juice, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, seasonings and beef mixture.
2Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until heated through. Discard bay leaves. Serve with spaghetti; sprinkle with cheese if desired.
