SPAGHETTI SAUCE

 I love spaghetti!  I like spaghetti sauce that is thick and loaded with stewed tomatoes.  So that is how I make mine.  Once I tell you how I make my spaghetti sauce, I'm sure they'll be some of you who won't consider it homemade.  But it isn't a sauce from a can, so in a way, it is homemade.  I like 

McCormick®'s Thick & Zesty Spaghetti Sauce Mix, then I add mushrooms, olives, stewed tomatoes (lots of stewed tomatoes), tomato paste, water and sometimes beef.  It is a simple sauce to make, but it is a crowd pleaser.  I had a roommate from college that LOVED this spaghetti sauce, every time I cook it now, I think of her.  I have mentioned in earlier posts that I am a vegetarian, so the sauce I made today is without meat.  But I generally make it with meat when I plan on sharing it with others.  So, if you like thick, spicy spaghetti sauce, I think you'll really like this sauce!

INGREDIENTS:

1 pkg  McCormick®'s Thick & Zesty Spaghetti Sauce Mix
1 can (2.2 oz) black olives, sliced
1 can (6.5 oz) sliced mushrooms
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 cans (14.5 oz) stewed tomatoes
1 1/2 to 2 C. water


DIRECTIONS:

 Stir sauce mix, olives, mushrooms, tomato paste, stewed tomatoes and water together in medium saucepan until well blended.  Bring sauce to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes , stirring occasionally.  Serve over pasta, enjoy :)

~ You can add beef or sausage to the sauce mix, if you would like.  I'd use 1/2 lb of either, and brown it before you start the sauce.  Once the meat is cooked, drain the grease and add to sauce mix.

~ You can adjust the water to change the taste and thickness of the sauce.  If you would like a thinner sauce, use more water.  If the spices are too strong, add more water.  If you would like a thicker sauce, you can use more tomato paste.

~ This sauce tastes even better the next day, once it has had time to set and thicken up.

~ Sometimes, if I'm in the right mood, I'll double the sauce mix and freeze half the sauce.  That way, I'd always have some on hand whenever the urge struck for spaghetti. 

~ You can add additional veggies to the sauce mix.  Green peppers, diced onions, squash, you get the idea.