 Raw ground beef is crumbled in water and / or stock , tomato paste and seasonings are added , and the mixture is brought to a boil and then simmered for several hours to form a thin meat sauce . Many recipes call for an overnight chill in the refrigerator to allow for easy skimming of fat and to allow flavors to develop , then reheating to serve . Typical proportions are 2 pounds of ground beef to 4 cups of water and 6 oz tomato paste to make 8 servings . 
