Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

I thought I would share a recipe today. I love to make this because it is easy and doesn't take long to prepare (though it takes a long time to cook). It smells so good while it is simmering and it freezes well, too. I love the chunky consistency. BUT-- I have one child who thinks she doesn't like tomatoes and another who thinks he doesn't like meat so I put a small batch in the food processor and serve it to the kids that way and they gobble it down. To me, that gentle compromise far beats children picking through their food with upturned noses! Enjoy!

Spaghetti Sauce

Yield 12 cups

1 lb. ground beef

1 1/2 c. chopped onion
1 12 oz. can tomato paste
3 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes

2 cups water

4 cloves garlic (or 4 t. garlic powder)

1/4 t. thyme

2 T. brown sugar

4 t. dried basil leaves

2 t. dried oregano
4 T. parsley

2 t. salt

In large pot, cook and stir the ground beef with onions until meat is brown; drain fat. Add remaining ingredients. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce heat. Partly cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. (If desired, simmer in a crockpot instead of pot.)

4 cups sauce/16 oz. pkg spaghetti