Savory Meat Base

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon bottled garlic minced
• 1 large bell pepper green chopped
• 3 pounds ground beef lean
• 26 ounce tomatoes 
• 2 large onion chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper 
• 1 teaspoon salt 

Equipment

• ziploc bags
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Cook first 4 ingredients in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; stir until crumbled and no longer pink.
2. Drain mixture; return to Dutch oven.
3. Stir in marinara sauce, salt, and pepper; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Spoon about 4 cups each of mixture into 2 heavy-duty zip-top plastic bags; freeze until ready to use.
4. Heat 1 package (4 cups) Savory Meat Base, thawed, in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
5. Serve over 12 ounces hot cooked spaghetti with a tossed green salad and garlic bread. Makes 6 servings.
6. Heat 1 package (4 cups) Savory Meat Base, thawed, in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes.
7. Serve on hamburger buns with potato chips and fresh fruit. Makes 6 servings.
8. Heat 1 package (4 cups) Savory Meat Base, thawed, in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, and 1 bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Stir in 4 cups hot cooked elbow macaroni; cook 5 more minutes. Top with sour cream and sliced green onions. Makes 6 servings.