Italian Meat Sauce I

Ingredients and Weight:

• Ground beef: 500g
• Onion: 1 large (150g)
• Garlic: 3-4 cloves (10g)
• Red bell peppers: 2 (200g)
• Diced tomatoes: 400g can
• Spaghetti sauce or tomato paste: 100g
• Dried oregano, basil and Italian seasoning: 1 tsp each
• Salt and pepper: 1/2 tsp each
• Brown sugar: 1 tbsp
• Bay leaves: 2-3
• Water or chicken broth: 1 cup

Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 90 minutes

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer red. Drain excess fat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, and continue cooking until the onion is soft.
3. Add the red bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Pour in the diced tomatoes, spaghetti sauce or tomato paste, and seasonings. Stir well.
5. Add water or chicken broth and bay leaves. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Nutritional Information: (Based on average values; actual nutritional content may vary) Serves 8

• Calories: Approximately 350 calories per serving
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 28g

Dish Characteristics:

• Rich and flavorful, with a traditional Italian taste.
• Perfect for pasta lovers, especially those who enjoy a hearty meat sauce.
• Can be customized with different types of meats or vegetables.

User Comments:

• "This sauce is so good! It has a perfect balance of flavors."
• "Love the combination of beef and red bell peppers. Makes the sauce very unique."
• "I made this for my family and they loved it. Definitely a keeper!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use a large pot to ensure enough space for the sauce to simmer properly.
• Adjust seasoning according to taste. Start with smaller amounts of seasoning and add more if needed.
• This sauce is best served with pasta, but can also be used as a filling for lasagna or as a topping for pizza.