INGREDIENTS
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 cups onion, chopped and divided
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5 cloves garlic, finely minced
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2 pounds lean ground beef or lean ground turkey
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1 red bell pepper, seeded, cored and coarsely chopped
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1 can (12-ounces) tomato paste
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1 teaspoon coarse, kosher salt
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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3 teaspoons dried oregano
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3 teaspoons dried basil
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1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
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2 cans (14-ounces each) Italian-style diced tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes
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2 cans (28-ounces each) crushed tomatoes
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8 ounces button or baby bella mushrooms, chopped
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1 1/2 cups beef stock or beef broth
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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2 bay leaves
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2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar