Silva Sauce FTW!

This recipe for Italian Meat Sauce was given to me by my BFF Christine. This is her mother-in-law, Esther’s recipe. It happens to be Jerry and Jonathan’s favorite spaghetti sauce AND you can double or triple the recipe when cooking for a BIG crowd. It’s uber tasty! Enjoy. 
Serves: 6
1 cup chopped onions
1 pound ground beef or ground italian sausage (I usually combine 1/2 and 1/2)
4 cloves minced garlic
46 ounces canned tomatoes (I use a combination of chopped tomatoes and sauce)
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1/4 cup chopped parsley (use flat leaf or cilantro)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 dried bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried basil

In Dutch Oven, combine onion, meat, and garlic: cook until meat is browned and onion is tender. Skim off excess fat: add remaining ingredients and 2 cups of water (if desired).
Simmer uncovered for 3 hours or until sauce is thick: stirring occassionally. Remove bay leaf. Serve over hot spaghetti or penne.