Meat and Vegetable Sauce

1 small zucchini
1 small onion
3 cloves garlic
1 medium carrot
1 lb. mild Italian pork sausage
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 can whole tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1-2 T. Italian seasoning
crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
salt and pepper (to taste)

In large frying pan, saute zucchini, onion, garlic and carrot in olive oil until tender.
In large stock pot, brown Italian sausage and then drain.
Return sausage to pot and add all the tomatoes EXCEPT diced tomatoes.
With an immersion blender, blend sausage and tomatoes until desired consistency.  (If you like really chunky meat sauce you can skip this step.)
Add diced tomatoes, sauteed vegetables and remainder of ingredients.
Taste for seasoning adjustment.
Simmer for an hour.

To cook from frozen:  Thaw package in refrigerator overnight.  Pour sauce into sauce pan to heat while you cook your noodles.  Cook noodles very al dente and add to sauce to soak up extra liquid.