Spaghetti Sauce

here’s a classic spaghetti sauce recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef (optional for meat sauce)
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, grated carrot, and chopped celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
2. If using ground beef, add it to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce to the pot. Stir to combine. If using, pour in the red wine.
4. Add the sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a richer flavor, let it simmer for up to 2 hours.
6. Stir in the fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese (if using) just before serving.
7. Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy your homemade spaghetti sauce!