Servings: 1

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 quart Tomatoes
• 1 (20 oz) jar Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 (20 oz) can Tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground sage
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder or salt
• 1 tablespoon Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Parsley
• 1/2 tablespoon Sugar
• 1/2 cup Romano cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. It is best to use fresh canned tomatoes. If using spaghetti sauce, choose a thicker variety such as Prego.
2. In a very LARGE pot, use a vegetable mill to grind the tomatoes and remove the seeds and hard pulp. Pour the tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce into the mill and process them. If the tomatoes you added were watery, consider adding a second jar or can of spaghetti sauce. Clean the jars out with water to retain the essence of the ground whole tomatoes. Discard the debris.
3. Add the tomato paste directly to the tomato mixture. Clean the cans of paste as best as possible.
4. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add all the spices, grated Romano cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine.
6. Cover the pot and place it on very low heat. If desired, make meatballs and add them directly to the sauce. Adjust the spices and cheeses according to your taste preferences. Consider adding another tablespoon of oregano, 2 tablespoons of parsley, a little more salt, and at least another 1/2 cup each of Romano and Parmesan cheeses.
7. Stir the sauce every half hour or so to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pot.
8. Cook the sauce to your desired thickness, and if adding meatballs, ensure they are cooked to your liking.
9. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Here are a few variations of the spaghetti sauce recipe:

1. Meat Lover’s Spaghetti Sauce: Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced bacon in a separate skillet. Drain any excess grease before adding the cooked meats to the sauce. Simmer the sauce with the meats for additional flavor and richness.
2. Vegetable Marinara Sauce: Add a variety of diced vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions to the sauce. Sauté the vegetables in olive oil before adding them to the sauce. This variation adds extra nutrients and a delightful texture.
3. Mushroom and Wine Sauce: Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter or olive oil until they are golden brown and tender. Deglaze the pan with a splash of red or white wine, and then add the mushrooms and wine to the sauce. Simmer to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced hot peppers to the sauce for a fiery kick. Adjust the amount of spice according to your preference. This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a spicy pasta sauce.
5. Roasted Garlic Sauce: Roast whole garlic bulbs in the oven until they become soft and caramelized. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and add them to the sauce. The roasted garlic will provide a sweet and rich flavor to the sauce.
6. Creamy Alfredo Sauce: Prepare a separate creamy Alfredo sauce by melting butter, stirring in minced garlic, adding heavy cream, and stirring in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and forms a smooth sauce. Combine the Alfredo sauce with the spaghetti sauce for a rich and creamy variation.
7. Fresh Herb Sauce: Add a generous amount of fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley to the sauce. Finely chop the herbs and stir them into the sauce just before serving for a burst of fresh flavors.