Marinara Sauce

From Better Homes and Gardens

1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
1/4 cup coarsely chopped carrot
1/4 cup sliced celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped, peeled tomatoes (or one 14-1/2 oz can)
1/2 of a 6-oz can tomato paste
2 tsp fresh or 3/4 tsp dried basil
2 tsp fresh or 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp fresh or 1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp sugar

Directions:

In a large skillet cook onion, pepper, carrot, celery and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in tomatoes, paste, herbs, sugar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 30 min. If necessary, uncover and simmer 10-15 min more or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally.My notes: I usually up all the veggies, and prefer a coarse chop. I also throw in a chopped zucchini or squash and some mushrooms. I’ll just up the amount of tomatoes to compensate for the increase in other veggies. I usually simmer this in the crock pot for 4 hrs or so and it comes out a great consistency every time.