Moms Winter Pasta Sauce

 This is a pasta sauce my mom used to make during the winter, when the  fresh tomatoes weren't aren't fresh. It's quite a sweet sauce, so adjust the sugar to taste. Perfect to serve with spaghetti or lasagna!

Ingredients

 

• 1/4 cup oil
• 2-3 stalks of celery
• 1 green pepper
• 1 large onion
• 1 large of can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 can of tomato soup
• 1 can of tomato juice (48 oz)
• 1 large can of tomato paste (13 oz)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar - to taste
• 2-5 bay leaves
• ~ 2-3 teaspoons of garlic salt - to taste
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Pepper - to taste
• 1/4  teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2-3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 can of mushrooms

Instructions

1. Chop the onions, green pepper and celery.

2. Over medium-high heat, heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil and cook the vegetables until soft.

3. Add the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato juice and tomato paste.

4. Add the brown sugar and bay leaves, and cook over low-medium heat for one hour.

5. Cook the ground beef, and drain the fat.

6. Add the beef, mushrooms, and spices to the sauce. Simmer for one more hour.

7. Taste, adjust the seasonings, and enjoy!

8. This sauce is also great for freezing!