Kittencal's Jazzed-up Pasta Sauce

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or adjust to heat level)
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 (26 ounce) jars marinara sauce (or use a meatless pasta sauce)
• 2 teaspoons salt (a good tomato sauce needs lots of salt to bring out the flavor)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a medium pot brown the ground beef with onion until no longer pink; drain all fat.
• 2 add in the garlic, chili flakes and drained mushrooms; cook stirring until the meat is browned (about 12 minutes, for best flavor the meat needs to be lightly browned).
• 3 mix in the parmesan cheese (if using) then pasta sauce; bring to a simmer stirring over medium heat.
• 4 reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes or even longer, stirring occasionally.
• 5 season with salt, pepper and sugar (if using) about halfway through cooking.