Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounces ground beef
4 cups chopped, peeled tomatoes (6 large)
or two 14.5-ounce cans tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil
or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano
or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
2 teaspoons snipped fresh marjoram
or 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven cook 16 ounces of ground beef with the onion, sweet pepper, celery, and garlic until meat is brown.
2. Stir in 1/3 cup water, tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, dried herbs (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover; simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh herbs (if using).

Serving Size: makes 6 1/2 cup servings

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user MCDOWELM.