Meat Lover'S Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (use mild or spicy)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) package fresh small white button mushrooms (if your mushrooms are large slice in half)
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or adjust to suit taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 (25 ounce) jars classico roasted garlic and herb pasta sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

1. In a Dutch oven cook the ground beef and sausage meat until no longer pink; drain fat and remove to a bowl.
2. In the same Dutch oven heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add in onion, bell pepper, small whole mushrooms, chili flakes and dried basil; cook stirring for about 7-10 minutes or until well softened.
4. Add the beef mixture back to the pot then add in the pasta sauce; bring to a simmer over medium heat stirring.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 30-35 minutes, seasoning with salt and black pepper about halfway through simmering.

lean ground beef, italian sausage, olive oil, onion, green bell pepper, white button mushrooms, red pepper, basil, garlic, salt, fresh ground black pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/meat-lovers-chunky-mushroom-pasta-sauce-332161 (may not work)