What's Cooking Wednesday: My Comfort Food

I have always loved spaghetti.  As far back as I can remember, I have never gotten sick of it or felt that I could get enough.  I could eat spaghetti morning, noon and night if my thighs would put up with it.

Spaghetti just makes me feel comforted.  I don't know why.  If I am having exceptionally bad days or if I have not been eating well and just want a big meal, it's spaghetti I want.  It's like this one food is my friend.  It's not healthy, my relationship with spaghetti.

My darling friend and I have had to part ways...for the most part.  I find that the older I get, the less tolerant I have become to eating such things as pasta and bread.  Spaghetti and I must meet but once in awhile, and when we're apart I miss him like crazy!

I'm a picky eater...I don't like things that are super chunky, I don't like condiments, and I am picky about my sauce.  This sauce is as close as I can get to perfect for me.  It's also very kid friendly.

My friend, Neonatal Nurse Nancy, is the reason I've added bay leaves.  I love it!  At one time during my quest for the perfect sauce, she also suggested adding a can of tomato soup to my recipe.  The addition of tomato soup makes a yummy sauce; if you are not concerned about sugar intake, give it a try.  I did try it, but I don't use it regularly because it takes the sugar content of the sauce up way too high for me.

Spaghetti is what's cooking this Wednesday.  Here is my meat sauce recipe:

1 lb. ground beef
2/3 cup minced onion (fresh, not dried)
2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 heaping tsp. oregano
2 1/2 tsp. basil
2 bay leaves

Brown ground beef and onion until beef is cooked.  You can also add fresh garlic toward the end of the ground beef cooking time.

Crockpot: combine cooked beef and onion with the rest of the ingredients.  Cook over low heat 4 to 6 hours.  If you are cooking longer than 6 hours, add some water to the mix.

Stovetop:  combine cooked beef and onion with the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a slight boil and reduce heat.  Simmer sauce at least 1 hour; the longer the simmer, the better the sauce.

Take out the bay leaves before serving.

Serve over pasta and enjoy!

What's in your favorite sauce?  Tell me in the comments!