It is rich, aromatic, flavorful and makes A LOT. So please grab the biggest pot you can find. I mean REALLY BIG. Extra sauce freezes well for future pasta dishes.
1 pound ground beef
3 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 pound mild sausage
4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons salt (optional)
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
76 fluid ounces water
1 (29 ounce) can tomato puree
1/2 cup butter
1. Heat butter and olive oil together with onion and garlic in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir ground beef and sausage in the onion mixture until browned and crumbly, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir Italian seasoning, salt, rosemary, oregano, and black pepper into ground beef-sausage mixture; simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Pour water, tomato puree, and tomato paste into ground beef-sausage mixture; simmer, stirring occasionally, over low heat until flavors have combined, at least 2 hours.