Mimi's Fantastic Thick Spaghetti Sauce

A few years ago I came upon a sauce that was so good but........... I altered it quite a bit to fit our family. This is now the best sauce I have ever had and if you follow the measurements, it will come out the same every single time. I use Tuttoroso brand in the puree, paste, and sauce because that is the one my friend's mother always used. She was from Italy and made the best sauce in the world. Hubby loves it and comments on it whenever we have it which is once a week. It freezes well and is great with meatballs even thought there is a lot of meat in the sauce. Serve it with garlic bread and you will be sooooo happy.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1  lb italian sweet sausage
• 1  lb hamburger (I use chuck (80% I think it is)
• 2  fresh garlic cloves (minced)
• 1⁄2 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 (28 ounce) cans tomato puree (see note above on the brand I use)
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 1⁄2 cups water
• 3 1⁄2 teaspoons basil
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons parsley
• 2  teaspoons brown sugar (could use white if you want to)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a heavy pot, brown sausage and hamburg, breaking it up into smaller pieces.
2. Add chopped onions and minced garlic and cook till meat is done; add tomato paste and stir until it is mixed in well.
3. Add tomato puree, sauce, and water (when measuring the water, put it into the puree can to rinse it all out and then add to meat mixture).
4. Add basil, brown sugar, salt, parsley, and black pepper and mix well.
5. Add the Parmesan cheese (yes, to the the sauce) and mix it in well.
6. Simmer on low for 2-4 hours stirring occasionally so it won't burn; if you think it needs some thinning down, add about 1/8 cup water at a time; don't add too much because you want it thick so it will stick to your pasta.
7. Cook your spaghetti and enjoy! Eat what you want and freeze the rest in containers that will hold the amount you will eat at a sitting.