In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the oil and cook the onion, carrot, and garlic until lightly browned. Stir in the tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, pepper, and sugar. Simmer, partially covered ( I love the mesh screen covers for this) about 30 minutes, stirring now and then.

In the meantime, brown the ground beef and drain off any excess fat. Add the meat and the thyme to the tomato mixture. Cover and simmer another 30 minutes, stirring now and then. Add the mushrooms, stir in, then cook another ten minutes.

This is enough sauce for 1 pound of pasta. If you want to turn it into a baked dish, cook up a pound of penne or zitti pasta and drain, then stir into the finished meat sauce. Layer half in a 9x13 pan or 4 quart casserole, sprinkle some Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top, spread the over half on that, then finish with some Mozarella and Parmesan. Bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.