Candy’s Meat Sauce for Spaghetti

(from the Original Arnett Cookbook)

2 pounds hamburger, brown in pan
2 medium onions or 1 large (chopped)
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 large can Italian tomatoes (just whole, peeled tomatoes, can use home canned ones as well, sometimes I even use fresh tomatoes)
1 can tomato paste, small
1 can tomato sauce, medium size
½ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic or healthy sprinkle of powder (1/8-1/4 teaspoon)
1/8 teaspoon red pepper, crushed (optional)
1 bay leaf (remove when done)
1 Tablespoon salt
½ teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon basil
2 teaspoon sugar
1 can mushrooms

Combine all ingredients after browning meat and onion, be sure to break up the whole tomatoes and add the juice of the tomatoes and mushrooms. Simmer from 3 hours to all day stirring occasionally, (great for the crockpot). Add water if necessary but sauce should be thick. Serve over spaghetti noodles.

Another variation: