How to Make Pasta Sauce

If you like the taste of good old home-made pasta sauce, try making your own. You can add a variety of vegetables and spices to a basic sauce to make a great dish.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cans crushed or stewed tomatoes
• 2 medium onions
• 2 stalks of celery
• 1 green pepper
• 1 red pepper
• 4 tsps. garlic
• Salt and pepper
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 1 tbsp. each of basil, thyme and oregano
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Ground beef

Instructions

1. Pour both cans of crushed or stewed tomatoes into a large pot. Place it on the stove. Dice the onions and add them to the pot.

2. Cut up one or two stalks of celery into tiny bite-sized pieces. Chop the green pepper and red pepper. Add celery and peppers to the pot.

3. Put in 4 tsps. of chopped garlic, 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/8 tsp. of black pepper. Spoon in one small can of tomato paste. Stir in 1 tbsp. of basil, 1 tbsp. of thyme and 1 tbsp. of oregano. Add 2 cups of water. Mix well.

4. Bring the pasta sauce to a boil and then simmer for 4 to 5 hours to bring out the flavors.

5. Create a chunky sauce by adding 1 cup or mushrooms or 1 cup of zucchini to the pot during the last hour of cooking.

6. Make your pasta sauce meaty. Cook 1 lb. of ground beef. Drain the grease and add to the pasta sauce during the last hours. Simmer and serve hot over spaghetti, macaroni or pasta.

Tips & Warnings

• Use freshly skinned tomatoes in place of canned tomatoes.

• Make it unique by adding your favorite flavors like Italian sausage or jalapeno peppers.