Best Family Spaghetti Sauce Ever!

I can't believe I'm actually sharing this little secret recipe with you...But I love food and I love you too much to withhold. Be adventurous and experiment with spices and flavors. This is just a base (and not exact measures)....so feel as adventurous as you want! I've made some suggestions on what you could add or substitute to make this recipe your own! The best spaghetti sauce is always a labor of taste and adjust, taste and adjust.

2-3 sweet onions chopped
2-3 lbs ground beef (we always add pork sausage as well)
4-5 cloves of garlic minced
60oz of canned Crushed tomato and diced tomato combined
60oz of canned tomato sauce
12oz can of tomato paste
add water for consistency
handful of brown sugar
a couple teaspoons of sea salt
freshly ground pepper
1-2 bay leaves
chopped fresh herbs - basil, Italian parsley, oregano, rosemary, or whatever else you love.

1. Brown meat in fry pan.
2. Start cooking onions and garlic in large pot with olive oil.
3. Add browned meat, all tomato cans, water, and spices.
4. Simmer for 1-2 hours (my grandpa used to let it sit on the stove all day....the longer the flavors marinate together, the better the sauce becomes!)

Enjoy!

Chili....Perfect for Fall...

Chili Con Carne

4 lbs. Ground Beef (you want a higher fat percentage for good taste)
5 onions chopped (about 4 cups)
4 cans (1lb 12 oz each) of chopped tomatoes
5 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, reserve liquid
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 sm can tomato paste w/ 1 can of water
2 Tbs Sugar
4 1/2 Tbs Chili Powder (use more if you want it spicier)
1 Tbs and 2 tsp Salt

1. Cook and stir ground beef and onion in Dutch oven or large pan until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.
2. Stir in tomatoes, bean liquid, tomato sauce, paste, water, and seasonings. Heat to boiling.
3. Reduce heat nad simmer uncovered or 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Stir in beans and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 more minutes.