Authentic Italian Meat Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

Ground beef (1 lb)

Italian sausage (1/2 lb, casings removed)

Olive oil (2 tbsp)

Onion (1 medium, finely diced)

Garlic (4 cloves, minced)

Carrot (1 medium, finely diced)

Celery (1 stalk, finely diced)

Tomato paste (2 tbsp)

Crushed tomatoes (1 can, 28 oz)

Tomato sauce (1 can, 15 oz)

Red wine (1/2 cup, optional)

Beef broth (1 cup)

Bay leaf (1)

Dried oregano (1 tsp)

Dried basil (1 tsp)

Sugar (1 tsp, optional, to balance acidity)

Salt (1 tsp)

Black pepper (½ tsp)

Fresh basil (¼ cup, chopped, for garnish)

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Meats
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 3: Add Tomato Paste and Deglaze
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to deepen in color. If using, add the red wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until it reduces by half.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Add the bay leaf, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

Step 5: Simmer the Sauce
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The longer you simmer, the richer and more flavorful the sauce will become. Aim for at least 1-2 hours.

Step 6: Adjust Seasonings and Serve
Remove the bay leaf and taste the sauce. Adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and serve hot over your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for lasagna or baked ziti. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.