Zesty Pasta Sauce

The beginning ~
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 orange pepper, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 cherry pepper, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1 pound extra lean ground beef
dash extra virgin olive oil
Heat olive oil and add in veggies to gently soften.  After a few minutes, add in hamburger. 

You know how on all the cooking shows they show whole tomatoes being crushed by hand into the pasta sauce?  I can't recommended it.  They have people that actually come in and clean up after them and odds are that you do not.  Diced tomatoes work just fine.

After all the veggies have softened, add in ~

56 ounces diced tomatoes
15 ounces tomato sauce
12 ounces tomato paste
3/4 cup water

Now on to the spices ~
1 tsp chili powder (yes, chili powder)
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp Italian seasoning
3 dashes hot sauce
2 bay leaves
pinch of cayenne
1/2 cup of your favorite wine (optional)
salt & pepper to taste

Let simmer until all the flavors have delightfully melded together.  Freeze leftovers in meal size portions.