A very simple sauce.
I think meat sauce is one of my favorite foods in the world, and I got a lot of them. I'm going to try Betty Feezor's recipe because it looks so interesting, and might be like the sauce I remember fondly from our school cafeteria.
My favorite all-time meat sauce is one that my Mother learned from one of her best friends, who was a Sicilian, Connie Fulin. Connie came from a family of great cooks and I remember her telling Mom that despite the legendary "gravies" that were tended by Nonna for hours on the stove, that she had concocted this sauce for her husband and sons for school nights when Nonna wasn't around to disapprove and it took only 30 minutes to make. This is how it was made, originally and you can certainly make substitutions, but I won't guarantee results if you do:
3 tablespoons of good fruity olive oil(back in the day, we used Progresso brand in the round tin can)
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 lb. ground chuck
1 small can Hunts tomato paste
2 small cans Hunts tomato sauce
1 leaf of fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste.
Heat the olive oil GENTLY, only till it shimmers and add the minced garlic. My mother used to do this by standing over the skillet and cross-cutting the garlic clove with a sharp paring knife and letting the tiny cubes of garlic fall into the oil. Garlic should sizzle ever so gently but not burn.
Crumble chuck into oil and raise heat. Brown meat over medium heat, breaking pieces apart as it cooks.
When meat is brown add tomato products and basil leaf. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until very thick and oil separates slightly from the body of the sauce. Season to taste and serve. If done correctly, this sauce will taste slightly sweet.
Oh My G0d!
And then there's Vincent Price's Ragu alla Bolognese...