In a large pot, heat the cooking oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion, celery, and bell peppers to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook and stir until it’s browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.
Stir in the thinly sliced andouille sausage and cook for 4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, hot sauce, and water. Stir to combine.
Add the granulated sugar, dried Italian seasoning, and Creole or Cajun seasoning (if using). Toss in the bay leaves. Mix well.
Bring the sauce to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
While the sauce simmers, cook the vermicelli or spaghetti in a large pot of well-salted water according to the package directions. Drain well.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the pot. Stir well to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
Cover the pot and let it rest off the heat for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.