Basic Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup margarine
• 4 cups onions, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 5 pounds ground chuck or ground beef
• 2 tablespoons ground oregano
• Three 2-pound cans tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups water
• 3 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 tablespoons salt (or less if you like)
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 3 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a large, heavy, 8-quart pot, melt margarine. Add onions and saute until tender. Add garlic the last two minutes of simmering. Add ground meat. Break up with fork. Cook, stirring often until browned. Drain off fat in colander. Return to pot. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, over low heat for one how or so until flavors are blended and sauce is thickened. Stir often to avoid sticking.

Makes 6 quarts.

Turn into one or two quart containers. Let set in refrigerator over night to blend flavors. Good for eggplant casseroles, macaroni casseroles, lasagna, etc.

Serves 6-7.