Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil. Once olive oil is hot, add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté’ for 2 to 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and the bell pepper is soft. If the Sweet Italian Sausage you bought is in casings, you have to remove the sausage from the casing so that it is ground. (It is easier to buy the sweet Italian sausage that is not in casings, but it is hard to find where I live). Add the sweet Italian Sausage and ground beef to the pot, along with the minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until the meat is browned.

Once the meat has browned, season with a little salt and pepper, (like 1/4 teaspoon or less) and then add your crushed tomato, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.

Once you have fully incorporated all of the tomato, add your dried herbs and spices. Stir to combine.

Turn the heat to low and simmer on the stove, stirring occasionally, for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 3 hours. It is essential to stir your sauce to prevent the bottom from scorching. IF the bottom does burn, DO NOT scrap it with the spoon. Just stir without disturbing the burned portion and the sauce should not taste burned.

Serve with noodle of choice. This sauce tastes even better the next day,and can be frozen for later use as well.