Spaghetti... aka... Red Gravy

This is my mom's recipe for red gravy. It can be used with spaghetti, lasagna, marinara, etc. It freezes well. I have to admit, it's good and all, but it's not my Maw-Maw's red gravy! Man, I wish she was still here to teach me how to cook it :(

Ingredients:
1 large onion
2-3 cloves garlic
3 cans tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp oregano
1 tsp sweet basil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
water
oil

Directions:
Pour enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot (5 quart pot). Chop onion and garlic. Saute on medium high heat. Add tomato paste and tomato sauce. Fry for 5 minutes. Add oregano, sweet basil, salt, pepper, sugar, and parmesan cheese. Add enough water to fill 3/4 of the pot. Bring to a boil and then add meat, if you choose. Cook on low until you are ready to serve. Cooking it for a couple of hours allows all the flavors to come through. Yummy!!!