"Semi-Homemade" Spaghetti Sauce

It's Italian Night! What's my family's favorite? It's Spaghetti and Meatballs with my "Semi-Homemade" Spaghetti Sauce! This recipe is easy, delicious, and the aroma is out of this world! Crock Pot and Stove Top directions are included. Mmmm, Mmmm; now that's Italian!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 lbs ground chuck
1 medium diced sweet onion
4- 24 oz cans of Hunts or Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce (Use a combination of Meat, Mushroom, Traditional, Zesty & Spicy, and/or Roasted Garlic & Onion.)
1 - 14.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes (with roasted garlic and onion)
1/2 can water (Pour back and forth from can to can to get remaining sauce out.)

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 teas. Italian seasoning
1/2 teas. garlic powder
1/4 teas basil
1/4 teas oregano
2 Tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:

Brown 2-1/2 lbs ground chuck with 1 medium diced sweet onion, chopping up and stirring the meat as it cooks. Add water as needed as the meat browns.

When the meat is browned, drain well. Put browned meat and onion mixture into a large crock pot or large cooking pot.

Add:

Hunt's or Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce,  diced tomatoes, 1/2 can water (Pour back and forth from can to can to get remaining  sauce out.), Worcestershire  Sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil, oregano, and brown sugar. Stir until well blended.

Cook in slow cooker on low for about 7 hours.

-or-

Bring to a boil in a large pot on the stove top and cook at medium for about 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Additional water can be added as needed.

Leftover sauce can be frozen. Don't forget to label the containers with contents and date! For my family, this recipe makes enough for 5 meals.

To prepare frozen "Semi-Homemade" Spaghetti Sauce:

When the sauce is frozen, I put the frozen sauce and frozen meatballs in the same pot with a small amount of water and about 8 oz of an Italian tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce. Bring to a boil and cook until thawed and meatballs are cooked through. See directions on the frozen meatballs for cooking time.

Notes from the "Chef":

• My family loves spaghetti and meatballs, so I cook frozen Italian Meatballs in some of the sauce with some water (follow directions on the meatballs for cooking time). Sometimes, I even make my own meatballs, but frozen is faster!
• For a delicious side dish, clean, wash, and slice an 8 oz. package of mushrooms. Put the sliced mushrooms in a micro-proof glass container with 1/2 tablespoon butter and 2 teaspoons water. Cook on high 3-4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Season with Garlic Powder, if desired.
• Hot Banana Pepper Slices and Parmesan Cheese make this dish irresistible! 
• Provide Red Pepper Flakes for those who dare! I don't add the Red Pepper Flakes to the sauce since we have several young children in the family!
• Italian or French Bread can be thickly sliced, spread with butter, and sprinkled with garlic powder before placing under the broiler. You can also use leftover buns for this garlic bread. 
• Of course, a good fresh green salad always compliments an Italian meal.

Mmmmm! Now, that's Italian!!