Spaghetti Sauce

This is the most amazing, melt in your mouth sauce I have ever tasted.  My mom is a great cook and growing up we'd smell the most amazing things coming from the kitchen.  That is one of the best things about this sauce, it simmers for 3 HOURS and fills your house with the best aromas.  You are going to love this one!

6 garlic buttons, chopped fine
1 T oil
3 (12 oz) cans tomato paste
3 cans water for each can of paste (9 cans)
1 1/2 T salt
1 t pepper
4 T sugar
2 T Parmesan cheese
1 t sweet basil
1/2 t oregano
3 pounds ground beef

Saute' chopped garlic in oil; add tomato paste, water, salt, pepper, sugar, cheese and seasonings.  Bring to a light bubble and simmer approximately 1 hour.  Brown hamburger meat, drain grease, and add to sauce and simmer approximately 2 more hours.  Stir often.  May add more or less salt and sugar according to your taste.  Yields sauce for 12 servings.

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Notes:  Use fresh garlic.  Not jar and not powder.  This will make a world of difference in the freshness of your cooking.  Sweet basil is different than basil-I got mine at Kroger for $2.99.  When it says stir often, I stirred mine every 10-20 minutes as I was passing through the kitchen.  This is to keep the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.  We used Barilla Whole Wheat Thin Spaghetti noodles and they were perfect for the sauce.  I just can't hardly put into words how fabulous this smelled cooking all afternoon and how melt in your mouth delicious it was for dinner!  We had garlic bread which was the perfect accompaniment.  Cooking time is 3 hours so plan this one for an afternoon when you're at home. This is a super affordable dish that makes a ton.  Invite friends over!  And freeze the rest for a rainy day.