I am always surprised that so many people spend lots of money on jar pasta sauce, when its quick, easy and cheap to make your own, and you also get control over what is in the sauce.

If you want a quick meatless sauce, drizzle a little olive oil in a medium saucepan.  Throw in a couple of cloves of garlic and saute them for a minute or two.  Sprinkle a little dried basil and oregano in the garlic oil.

Then turn the heat on low, add a 28oz can of crushed tomatoes, and simmer on very low until the pasta is done.

I personally like Tuttoroso tomatos, and Cook’s magazine likes Hunt’s brand, but my feeling is buy whatever is on sale and you will be fine.

A meat sauce requires a little more effort, but not much more.  I also use my crock pot. This makes a lot of sauce, so I put the leftovers into tupperwares and freeze for  later date.

Meat Sauce

1lb Italian Sausage (Sweet, Hot, Turkey, Chicken-whatever floats your boat)

1lb lean ground beef.  (I use 90 or 93% lean)

2 28oz cans crushed tomatoes

1 80z can tomato paste

1/4 cup basil

1/4 cup oregano

Few dashes of crushed red pepper.

1. Brown sausage and beef, add to crock pot

2. Pour tomatoes over meats

3. Add basil, oregano, pepper and stir

4. Set crockpot on low and cook for 6-7 hours.

If your crockpot has a warmer setting, you can brown the meat the night before and whip this together before you go to work, and have it sitting and getting warm when you get home.

Make some pasta and salad and dinner is served.