Delicious Vegetable-Packed Meat Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage meat
• 1 package mushrooms, sliced
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
• 1 24-oz jar Marinara sauce
• 1 28-oz jar crushed tomato
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp dried basil
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
• Italian Parsley, chopped, for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large skillet or saucepot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Make sure to break up the sausage with a potato masher or a fork. Once browned, remove the meat from the pot and set aside; discard most of the liquid (you can leave some of this delicious fat in the pan).

2. 2

   Cook the mushrooms for 5–10 minutes until they release their liquid and brown. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until translucent. Add the tomato paste and cook for about a minute. Add the garlic and cook for just about 20 seconds until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add the tomato sauce, marinara, crushed tomatoes, sugar, bay leaves, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and thyme, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for at least 2 hours (120 minutes). Add the chopped celery to the sauce after an hour (60 minutes) of cooking.

4. 4

   Serve on top of pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and Italian parsley.