Quick & Thick Spaghetti Sauce With Meat

This recipe saves time by making use of the excellent commercial spaghetti sauces that are available.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1  lb  96%  extra lean ground beef (see hints at end of recipe if you can't get 96% lean beef)
• 1⁄2 cup cold water
• 1  medium onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 1  tablespoon  Italian spices
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (18 ounce) jar  traditional style  spaghetti sauce (not marinara sauce)
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes (optional)

Directions

1. Mix ground beef and cold water in a cold dutch oven. The beef will absorb the water like a sponge. As it cooks, the water will keep the ground beef from forming large clumps.
2. Place over high heat.
3. Add onion and spices. Stir occasionally.
4. Allow meat to cook until all water evaporates.
5. Cook a few minutes longer until the beef gets browned like the outside of a hamburger. The browning makes the sauce richer.
6. Turn down the heat to simmer and add the jar of spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine.
7. If you want a thinner sauce, add a 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes.
8. Heat through.
9. Hints: * If you can't get 96% lean ground beef, proceed with recipe, except don't allow the water to evaporate. Drain off the water and fat and return the meat mixture to the pot to brown.