1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or Italian sausage
1 med. onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 (12 oz.) cans tomato paste
3 c. water
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. parsley flakes
2 cloves garlic or 2 tsp. garlic salt
1 bay leaf

Brown meat, onion, and green pepper. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Serve with cooked spaghetti (1 pound) and grated cheese.

Variations: Sauce with meat balls, mushrooms, and or olives.

Meat Balls: Beat 2 eggs slightly. Mix ground beef and fine bread crumbs into eggs. Add Parmesan cheese and a little salt. Brown instead of ground beef in pan or microwave and add to other ingredients.

Sliced mushrooms may be added to sauce or used instead of ground beef.

1 can of sliced ripe olives may be added to sauce.