Jo Mama's World Famous Spaghetti

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 2 lbs italian sausage, casings removed (mild or hot)
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
• 3 -4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 cups water (for a long period of simmering for flavors to meld. if you don't want to simmer it as long, add less)
• 3 teaspoons basil
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup red wine (a good cabernet!)
• 1 lb thin spaghetti
• parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 in large, heavy stockpot, brown italian sausage, breaking up as you stir.
• 2 add onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until onions are softened.
• 3 add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water.
• 4 add basil, parsley, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
• 5 stir well and barely bring to a boil.
• 6 stir in red wine.
• 7 simmer on low, stirring frequently for at least an hour. a longer simmer makes for a better sauce, just be careful not to let it burn!
• 8 cook spaghetti according to package directions.
• 9 spoon sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.