Not Your Mom's Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

I'll get a real picture in here after I cook this tonight, but for now,
this will do because I can't be the only one who feels like this, haha

I know spaghetti can be kind of boring, but this spaghetti sauce recipe is guaranteed to change your mind. It's a recipe that my mom came up with and finally passed along to me with measurements. My mom is an excellent cook but most of her recipes include "a little of this" and "just a bit of that," which as a non-cook/perfectionist, doesn't usually end well for me. We lived in Italy for awhile when I was a baby, and I like to think of this recipe as part of that legacy.

Also, pair this spaghetti with this homemade breadstick recipe my friend gave me (and a nice salad--or one from a bag, either way). You can thank me later.

Ingredients:

1 box of spaghetti noodles

1 lb ground beef (or turkey)

28 oz. diced tomatoes (plain)

14 oz. tomato sauce

2 Tbsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp fresh or dried basil

1/2 Tbsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

pinch of salt

Parmesan Romano shake cheese to top

Directions:

1. Brown meat, drain fat.

2. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, garlic power, olive oil, and salt. Let simmer uncovered for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. 

3. When the sauce is about done, cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain, combine if you'd like (my mom always serves them separate for some reason).

It's such an easy recipe, but so good. The key, really, is the simmering. Last time I made it I ended up starting it way too early so it simmered for over two hours and it was perfect. Obviously though, if you don't have that time, an hour will do. And, an hour is the perfect amount of time to make breadsticks! So no excuses!