Italian Meat Sauce (or Gravy)

Step 1

Heat 3 tbsp of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or sauce pot. Once heated, add the chopped onions. Cook for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 2

Add the garlic (you can either mince the garlic and leave it in the sauce during cooking, or you can halve the garlic and remove it after you cook it for about a minute with the onions).

Step 3

Add the ground beef and sausage. Break up and cook until browned.

Step 4

Add the canned crushed tomatoes and puree. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5

Add the chopped basil.

Step 6

Bring to a boil, then drop the heat, cover and simmer on low for at least 30 minutes but preferably at least 2 hours.