Family Night Spaghetti Sauce

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 pound bulk Italian pork sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (see cook's note)
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• ½ cup Duplin Burgundy
• Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
• One 28-ounce can tomato puree

Directions:

1. Cook's note: For a chunky, homestyle sauce, use 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped red bell peppers and 2 cups sliced, sauteed mushrooms. Instructions below.
2. Place a large saucepot over medium heat. When pot is hot, add olive oil. When oil has heated a bit, add the ground beef and Italian pork sausage, breaking it up with a large spoon. Cook and crumble the meat until it is browned.
3. Season the meat with salt and then add the onion (plus bell peppers if using) and garlic to the meat mixture. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the dried basil, and dried oregano.
4. Stir in the red wine and let simmer for about 1 minute, until wine has mostly evaporated.
5. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato puree to the pot, stirring to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a simmer.
6. Reduce the heat to the lowest simmer possible. Place a lid slightly ajar on the pot. Simmer sauce for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If using mushrooms, add them to the pot during the last hour of cooking.
7. Makes 8-10 servings.