Ingredients
1 pound of Italian sausage, chicken sausage ground beef or a combination of meats
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and diced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
dash of salt and pepper to taste
1Tbs Dried oregano
1Tbs Dried Basil
1-2 tsp dried thyme
OR, 1-2 Tbsp of Italian Seasoning
1 cinnamon stick (or about 1/4 tsp of cinnamon but sticks are better)
2 small tomatoes, diced OR 1 can of diced tomatoes
2 12oz cans of tomato sauce
optional: 1/4 - 1/2 cup minced spinach or kale (it doesn't add taste)
optional but highly recommended: splash of red wine!
Preparation
Turn on stove to med-high and place a large pot on the burner with a generous splash of olive oil or butter. When the oil is hot, add the meat and cook, breaking it up in the sizes you wish. When the meat begins to brown, add the diced onion and carrots to the pot and continue to cook until vegetables have softened and meat is nearly done. Add the garlic and stir well.
Lower heat to medium. Add the fresh or canned tomatoes and stir again, ensuring everything has been mixed properly. Add the tomato sauce. Add wine if you wish, about 1/4 cup. Gently stir once again. Add your seasonings, cinnamon stick and optional spinach or kale and stir well.
Reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid, and let simmer until you are ready to serve. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it becomes. I suggest making it at noon for that night's dinner. If you work all day and can't do that, start it when you come home and allow it to simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving.
I don't cook in crockpots, I simmer on the stove. But, I'm sure it would be just fine in the crockpot as well if you adjust the cooking directions according to your crockpot.
Make sure you remove the cinnamon stick before serving! Don't leave this out either, it's the secret ingredient to the sauce that makes everyone wanting more.