Mama Tonelli's Homestyle Sauce

This is a classic Italian meat gravy from an old Tonelli recipe. Great over spaghetti or ravioli.

30 minutes to prepare, 3 hours to cook

Makes enough for eight to twelve servings

Ida Tonelli

Contributor!Tonelli, Ida Main Dishes!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Tomatoes!Homestyle Sauce Beef!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Pork!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Basil!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Garlic!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Oregano!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Peppers, Sweet!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Rosemary!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Parsley!Homestyle Tomato Sauce Bay Leaves!Homestyle Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb. Ground Beef
• 1/4 lb. Ground Pork
• 3 cloves Garlic chopped finely
• 1 medium Onion chopped
• 3/4 cup Green Pepper chopped
• 2+ tsp. (lots !) Basil leaves dried and crushed
• 1/2 tsp. Oregano leaves dried and crushed
• 1/2 tsp. Rosemary leaves dried and crushed
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper ground
• 1 large can (28 oz.) Tomato Puree
• 1 large can (28 oz.) Tomato Puree w. Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 small cans (8 oz.) Tomato Paste
• 2 tsp. Parsley leaves chopped
• 2 or 3 Bay leaves
• 2 cups water

Directions

Brown ground beef and pork. Drain the fat from the pan. Add garlic, chopped green pepper and onion, and most spices. Continue browning until onions and peppers are cooked.

Add tomatoes, bay leaves, parsley, and water. Cover and simmer for three hours, stirring frequently. Make sure that sauce boils down to thick consistency. Add more spices toward end and adjust to taste.

Any mix of ground pork and beef may be used, totalling to roughly one pound.