World's Best Pasta Sauce

• sweet Italian sausage↗1 lb

  sliced

• lean ground beef↗3⁄4 lb
• minced onion1⁄2 cup
• garlic cloves↗2

  crushed

• crushed tomatoes↗28 ounces
• tomato paste↗6 ounces
• tomato sauce↗6 1⁄2 ounces
• water↗1⁄2 cup
• white sugar↗2 tablespoons
• dried basil↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• fennel seed1⁄2 teaspoon
• italian seasoning↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground black pepper↗1⁄4 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sausage, beef, onion, and garlic until well browned and drain fat.

2. 2

   Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.

3. 3

   Mix in sugar and season with basil, fennel seed, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

4. 4

   Reduce heat to low and cover, and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.