Originally posted by: sandorski
WTF? Thinking about Onions and Garlic?? That's a must have, not an option.
Basic sauce requires:
Onion
Bell Pepper(any colour, but non-green is preferable
Meat--preferably Ground, but any type can be used. Sausage is always nice
Garlic cloves crushed or garlic powder
Italian Seasoning(oregano, basil, bay leaf, mint, celery seeds if no Italian Seasoning)
Canned tomatoes--Crushed or whole or Fresh. Do not use Tomato Sauce or Paste(paste can be used I suppose, but Tomatoes work much better)
Carrots
Salt and Pepper
Optional
Mushrooms
Spinach
Store bought Pasta Sauce---great way to start out making your own as it increases your chances of success
Sugar----if your sauce is bitter(too much tomato paste and/or seasoning), sugar is the cure. Just don't over do it
Extras
cheese on top--Parmesan or other, I like Cheddar on top and put in the Microwave to melt.
last few minutes cooking Pasta, throw in some broccoli or spinach(last minute or so)
garlic toast--even just some slices of bread from the toaster with butter/margarine and some garlic powder sprinkled on
glass of wine---sip between bites of pasta, adds a lot to the meal--adding some wine to the sauce is very tasty as well, but don't over do it because the flavour will over power your sauce