Pour olive oil into a large stock pot, coating the bottom.

Add diced onion and garlic.

Stir and cook for 5 minutes until golden.

Add tomato paste and diced tomatoes to the pot.

Add 3 cans of water to each can of tomato paste.

Add bay leaves, hot pepper flakes, salt, ground black pepper, fresh parsley, fresh sweet basil leaves, fresh thyme, fresh oregano, and sugar.

Reduce heat to low.

Simmer for approximately 2 hours, stirring often.

Add meatballs, sausages, or crumbled meat for added depth of flavor during the final stage of simmering.

Continue to simmer for the full 2 hours after adding the meat.