# Tomato Meat Sauce **By Evan Scherrer** A standard tomato/meat spaghetti sauce ## Ingredients * 1/2 - 1 lb ground turkey, beef, or italian sausage * 1/2 large onion, finely diced * 3-6 cloves garlic, minced * 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes * 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes * 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes * 1/8 cup vodka (optional) * 12-16 fresh basil leaves, sliced finely * salt and pepper, to taste ## Instructions 1. Preheat a large skillet on high heat. Brown ground meat, remove from the pan, and set aside. 2. Lower heat to medium, add onion, and saute for ~2-3 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and garlic; cook until onions are translucent. 3. Add all tomatoes and some salt, scraping the bottom of the pan to release fond. Add meat and bring sauce to a simmer. 4. Stir in vodka and cook for 15-45 minutes; reduce until there's no more liquid pooling in the sauce. Add more salt, basil, and pepper to taste.