This is a nice hearty pasta sauce, it makes lots so have a few containers for freezing. If you like it a little "hot" add a ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper instead of ¼. Bravissimo!!!!

Meat sauce for pasta

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red or green pepper, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 cup mushrooms, diced
• ½ cup celery, diced
• ½ small zucchini, shredded
• 1 cup cooked lean hamburger or ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon each dried basil, oregano and thyme
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• large can of diced tomatoes
• 2 large cans of tomato sauce
• 1 small can of tomato paste

In a large pot add oil, red pepper, onion, garlic, mushrooms, celery, zucchini and cooked hamburger. On medium high heat, stir and cook for 10 minutes.