HOW TO MAKE GREAT SPAGHETTI SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• IMPORTANT: This recipe can easily be halved! I just like to make a ton so I can freeze it.  In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until totally browned. Remove meat from pot with a slotted spoon and put into a bowl. Set aside.  Discard any grease in pot, but do not clean the pot. Drizzle in olive oil. When it is heated, throw in the diced onion and diced bell pepper. Stir it around for 1 1/2 minutes, then add the garlic. Stir and cook for an additional minute.  Pour in the wine and allow it to bubble up and reduce for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then add oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper (if using). Stir, then add cooked ground beef and stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or some low-sodium broth if it needs more liquid. After an hour, add the minced parsley and the rind from a wedge of Parmesan (or grated Parmesan if you prefer--or both!) Stir to combine, then put the lid back on and allow it to simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Discard bay leaves before serving. Serve a big bowl of oiled noodles and spaghetti sauce so guests can serve themselves. Top each serving with minced parsley and grated Parmesan (or Parmesan shavings) and serve with a big piece of garlic-cheese bread. Amen.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Slice squash lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place squash, cut side down, in a baking dish. Add water and cover tightly with foil. Bake until easily pierced with a fork, 20-30 minutes.
  Meanwhile, in a cast-iron or other heavy large skillet, cook beef over medium heat, crumbling meat, until no longer pink; drain. Add onion, green pepper, herbs and seasonings; cook and stir until onion is tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in tomato puree. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally. Scoop out squash, separating the strands with a fork. Just before serving, stir 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese into meat sauce. Serve sauce over spaghetti squash with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.