Brown the hamburger in a large pot or Dutch oven.

Drain the browned hamburger in a colander to remove excess fat.

In the same pot, saute the chopped onions, green bell pepper, and celery until softened.

Add the drained hamburger back to the pot with the sauteed vegetables.

Stir in the tomato paste, water, and canned tomatoes. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon.

Add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, and pinch of soda to the sauce.

Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

Cover and simmer slowly for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add more water if needed to achieve desired consistency.Stir well to combine