Who needs sauce in a jar? This simple sauce is easy to create and spices can be adjusted for your family's tastes. Serve over hot pasta and complete the meal with a mixed greens salad and garlic bread.

Quick Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

8 ounces ground pork
4 ounces Italian pork sausage
1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red sweet peppers, drained and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspooon garlic, minced (1 clove)
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can tomato puree
1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground
1/4 cup dry red wine, or water
Cooked spaghetti, hot
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Combine pork, sausage, sweet peppers, onion, and garlic in a heavy, large covered saucepan; cook until pork and sausage are brown, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon. Drain off fat.
2. Stir in tomatoes, tomato puree, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until desired consistency.
3. Stir in wine or water.
4. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled atop, if desired.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories: 383 calories; Protein: 21 grams; Fat: 13 grams; Sodium: 1464 milligrams; Cholesterol: 49 milligrams; Saturated Fat: 5 grams; Carbohydrates: 42 grams; Fiber: 8 grams

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Pork, The Other White Meat.