My Mom's Meaty Italian Pasta Sauce

This is a hearty pasta sauce from scratch that will have you licking your fingers at the end of the meal.

(not that I would ever participate in such behavior)

(at least not in public)

Ingredients:

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 lb. ground beef

4 chopped cloves of garlic

3 T. chopped parsley

1 T. dried oregano

1/2 c. tomato puree

1 28-oz can diced tomatoes

2 T tomato paste

3/4 c. grated carrots (or use matchstick)

2 stalks celery, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

In a saucepan, heat olive oil. Add onion and ground beef; saute until browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, parsley and oregano. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Add puree, tomatoes and paste. Bring to a boil and add celery and carrots, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occassionally. Best the next day.

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