I know that there are so many pasta sauce recipes on the Internet but I made this yesterday and I think it’s pretty tasty, so here it is!

Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer I have made a drastic lifestyle change. Most of the food options in the grocery stores now are made with chemicals that we should not be digesting. I have been working to change my diet to exclude the chemical-ridden foods and shift toward the organically grown vegetables and grass-fed meats. (If you are vegetarian you can obviously exclude the meat)

Recently, my recipes have shifted to include these organic and wholesome ingredients. It is impossible to find everything organic but do your best and that will be enough!

For this sauce, all of the vegetables and meat are organically grown and raised. The tomatoes were purchased from the organic section at Kroger, a grocery store common to central Ohio. I used Muir Glen brand and got crushed fire-roasted tomatoes.

 I use smoked salt in, well, everything because why wouldn’t I?! It gives food an awesome flavor. My dad makes it for me but you can find it at a local spice shop too.

If you live in Columbus, Ohio, check out the spice stand in the North Market – they have a few different kinds of smoked salt there. Click here to check out their website and shop online. My spice cabinet is quickly running out of space because I have a problem and buy a new spice every time I go.. Don’t judge.

This recipe makes many servings – I made dinner for three people and have two large mason jars left over. You can cut it in half if you don’t want to make a lot or I would recommend freezing some. It will freeze well and taste just as good!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp ground basil
• 3-4 tsp smoked salt
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• Black pepper to taste
• 4  28 oz cans crushed tomatoes (Muir Glen fire roasted)
• 1 lb grass-fed beef

Instructions

Place a large stockpot on a burner set to medium heat. Add olive oil, carrots, celery, onions, shallots and stir until mixed well. Add in the ground beef and let saute until browned before adding garlic. While the beef is browning you can add the spices: bay leaves, basil, smoked salt, pepper and oregano. Once the beef is browned add in the garlic for about a minute before stirring in the crushed tomatoes. Add in juice and all, do not drain the can.

Let the sauce simmer on medium heat for about ten minutes and then reduce heat to low.

Cover the pot and let it cook for a few hours or all day. I let this cook on low for about 3 hours but feel free to let it simmer all day on low heat.

After a few hours taste the sauce and adjust seasoning  – add more salt and pepper and any other seasonings as needed.

Serve over your favorite pasta topped with some fresh Parmesan cheese!