Italian Tomato Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion celery and garlic in hot oil until softened about 5 minutes; add beef and cook stirring to break into small chunks until no longer pink 5 to 7 minutes more.

Stir stewed tomatoes and tomato paste with the beef mixture until smooth; add mushrooms Parmesan cheese parsley salt sugar nutmeg oregano and black pepper. Cook stirring occasionally until the sauce is flavorful about 10 minutes.

Stir baking soda into the sauce. Continue cooking until you can taste a reduction in acidity of the sauce about 10 minutes more.