Italian Meat Sauce and Pasta

green bell pepper, diced

large yellow onion, diced

olive oil, for sauteing

sea or kosher salt

fresh cracked black pepper

large cloves garlic, minced

ground beef (80-85% lean)

Italian sausage, ground or removed from casings (hot or sweet)

heaping tablespoon Italian seasoning {or 1 teaspoon each dried (not powdered) basil, rosemary, thyme and oregano crushed between your fingers}

tomato paste, 6 oz.

crushed tomatoes, 28 oz.

bay leaf

red pepper flakes or peperoncino (to taste), optional

– 1 +1/2 pounds pasta (like rotini: use one with lots of nooks and crannies)

Parmesan or Romano cheese, fresh grated, for serving