Spaghetti Sauce

[5ft Diva]

Does anyone have a good recipe for making spaghetti sauce using tomato sauce as a base? I know a lot of you make your stuff w/o measurements (I do to too) but if someone could give me something to start w/ I'd soooooo appreciate it. I've tried a couple of times to concoct something on my own but I can tell I'm missing some main spices and herbs. Help! (This would save me a lot of money)

[Meticulous madness]

Is it really saving money to make it fromt scratch? I truly wonder. I just prefer the taste, mostly. I guess if you're using your own home-grown tomatoes [sauce] that might make a difference.

Sadly, the DH has never liked my own personal concoctions so I just started buying pre-made sauces. We were recently given a case of sauce from the cannery. So, I'll be using that for a while.

We have some tomatoes planted and I'd really like to get some good recipes for canning also (that's a different thread, I know). I usually just use my tomatoes for fresh salsa, and salads and such, but I think I'm ready to venture out.

I guess what I'm saying is...I second this question. Maybe my concoctions are missing something(s) too, and that's why DH doesn't prefer homemade.

Good recipes, tips, and/or ways to make the sauce cheaper and yummy - I'm down with that!

[runamyrun]

We actually don't like store bought sauce very much. This recipe comes from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I just alter it to how we want it.

Classic Spaghetti Sauce
1/2 pound hamburger (I don't put much meat in mine, the recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds)
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper (half of the time I leave this out)
1/2 cup chopped celery
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
4 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried marjoram
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Cook hamburger, onion, green pepper, celery and garlic, drain fat. Add everything else. Simmer 30 minutes (covered). Uncover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, or until desired consistency.

I usually chop up a handful or two of baby carrots and add it to the hamburger. My favorite is when I use bottles of tomatoes from my garden.

[5ft Diva]

Thanks, fresh works too. So from start to finish how long does it take you to make Spaghetti?

[runamyrun]

My cookbook says that the recipe takes 15 minutes prep time and 40 minutes cooking, so total would be 55 minutes. Honestly, most of the time I don't let the sauce simmer very long. Usually I am rushing so we can hurry and eat before it gets too late. So I usually cook the meat and veggies, add the rest and heat it up. It is better when I can let it cook longer, though.

[5ft Diva]

I was just wondering because my French Bread takes an hour from start to finish. It sounds like I can start them both at the same time. Thanks.

[5ft Diva]

About how much does this make?

[runamyrun]

I actually doubled the recipe, so this serves 8 to 10 maindish servings. Hubby and I eat a lot, and we like to have leftovers for lunch the next day.

[5ft Diva]

So in order to feed my family I will need to double the recipe you gave me, correct?