Bye Bye Bye Cheater Sauce

Simple Easy Meat sauce 

To say I was fashionably late in finding my passion for food is an understatement. I think if Pinterest would have been around back in my day I would have been a more rounded momma... (For real, I have chubby cheeks on both sides now proving this so! *smile*)

My passion thing just sorta happened. I guess the saying 'you eat with your eyes first' really is true! And it's really odd how this happened as well. I wasn't new to Pinterest anymore but I had used it primarily for various DIY projects; not cooking. Cooking was an interruption. A chore. Then I saw a homemade French bread recipe on a day I was hoping to create some extra spark with the hubs after his long day. (it worked, btw!)

Some history for ya... When my littles were little, one of them informed me my spaghetti was made with cheater sauce. Hmmm, cheater sauce... really now... Hmph, the lil brat  was right & I was okay with that until I found the french bread recipe. In my mind, if I was going to make bread, then I needed to make my sauce too! (Remember mission was SPARKS..) xoxo

So, after reading more sauce recipes than I could remember, I decided to simply try & wing it on my own. Using what I had in the pantry the following was created:

• Lg Can of crushed tomatoes, (Have since tried whole peeled tomatoes in the processor which provided a more in-depth tomato flavor)
• 1 Tbls Italian seasonings, (I have been known to use fresh basil & oregano alone and/or combined but the blend has a few additional herbs that I don't grow.)
• 1 lb Hamburger meat brown and drained, (I have also blended hamburger with italian sausage or just used sausage.)
• 3 Tbls garlic,
• 1/2 sweet onion (diced),
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 Tbls EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• can of sliced mushrooms, drained

I browned my hamburger meat, drained off the fat and removed. Heat up the EVOO until it's shimmering then added the onion and cooked until translucent. Add garlic, stir it in just until you smell a toasty aroma. Stir in herbs & canned tomatoes, mix and let simmer for 10 minutes before adding meat, mushrooms and salt/pepper. NOTE: it's gonna splatter! I recommend a splatter guard or lid to deflect the lil drops of sauce, definitely.



I let it simmer for about 30 minutes after adding the meat just so the flavors blend. Cook your pasta of choice  per directions (we prefer Angel Hair) & top with this divine meat sauce followed up with some grated Parmesan!


I was very pleased with myself, the results, and the reception received from the hubs was the final seal of approval! XoXo

But, back to this versatile & very easy sauce... This can be tweaked as needed for your personal taste buds! Easily incorporate spice mixtures or meat variations as you deem worthy... This is just a basic go to. It can be dressed up or dressed down to pair with any pasta.

I'm sure most of you already have a trusted go-to. I just wanted to share mine as I've finally said Bye Bye Bye to 'cheater sauce' (aka spaghetti sauce in a can or jar)! BTW, there is nothing wrong with cheater sauce; my brat loved it but also loves to poke the bear!  ;)

Do you have a favorite sauce? A favorite dish? Let me know, I'm always looking for inspiration from other home cooks!

Til Next Time ~
Domesticate Rebellion

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