When I think meat sauce, I imagine something simmering on the stove all day. However, when I think about my typical day, I think, “What can I get on the table in a hurry.” This meat sauce comes together in about an hour and because it marries two flavorful meats, it tastes like it’s been going all day. I simmered my sauce for about 40 minutes because that was the time until dinner, but you could even get away with simmering for 25 minutes or so, just long enough to bring everything together and intensify the flavors. Make a big batch like I did and you’ll be rewarded with leftovers that taste even better!

You can use this sauce to top zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. You could even eat it straight up like my husband kept doing. Several times he tried to sacrifice himself by skipping the spaghetti squash and just going in with a spoon. Nothing wrong with that!

Easy Meat Sauce

1 Tbsp. lard or F.O.C.

1 lb. ground pork

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 a large onion, about 1 c. chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

28 oz. crushed tomatoes

15 oz. tomato sauce

1/2 c. water

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper or more to taste (I like a lot of pepper in this)

1/4 c. fresh basil, slivered

Directions

1) Melt lard in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

2) Add both meats and cook until brown, about 10 minutes.

3) Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and cover partially with a lid. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 40 minutes.

4) Add slivered basil, taste to adjust seasonings, and serve any way you like.

Makes 6-8 servings