Italian Sunday Sauce Recipe

Italian Sunday Sauce, or "gravy" as it's lovingly referred to by Italian-Americans, is a rich and hearty tomato-based sauce that is simmered for hours to develop deep, complex flavors. This classic Italian dish is traditionally made on Sundays, when families gather together to share a leisurely meal and catch up on the week's events. The sauce is typically served over pasta with meatballs, sausage, and braciole, and is a centerpiece of the meal.

What sets Italian Sunday Sauce apart fr...

What sets Italian Sunday Sauce apart from other tomato sauces is the time and care put into cooking it. The sauce is slowly simmered for several hours, allowing the flavors of the tomatoes, meat, and seasonings to meld together and create a harmonious, soul-satisfying dish. The result is a thick, luscious sauce that clings to the pasta and is bursting with flavor.

Every Italian family has their own version of Sunday Sauce, with slight variations in ingredients and techniques. Some prefer to use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal, while others opt for just one type of meat. The choice of tomatoes can also vary, with some cooks using canned San Marzano tomatoes for their sweet, intense flavor, while others prefer to use fresh tomatoes and simmer them down to a rich, thick sauce.

Regardless of the specific ingredients used, the key to a delicious Sunday Sauce is patience. The sauce needs to simmer for at least a few hours, but many cooks prefer to let it cook for most of the day, allowing the flavors to fully develop and the meat to become tender and infused with the sauce. The result is a deeply satisfying, comforting dish that brings people together and fills the home with enticing aromas.

Whether you're carrying on a cherished family tradition or trying your hand at Italian cooking for the first time, Sunday Sauce is a wonderful way to celebrate food, family, and the joy of gathering around the table. With its rich, hearty flavors and comforting embrace, it's no wonder that Italian Sunday Sauce has stood the test of time as a beloved classic. Buon appetito!

Ingredients

2 pounds pork neck bones
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ¼ pounds Italian sausage links
1 ½ cups finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (12 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
7 cups water
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
12 large cooked meatballs

Information

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs 40 mins
Total Time: 5 hrs
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Sprinkle neck bones on all sides with salt and pepper.

Heat 4 teaspoons oil in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place neck bones in the pot and cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a plate.

Add sausage links to the drippings and brown for 3 minutes on each side, adding remaining oil as needed. Set aside with the pork.

Add onion to the drippings and season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.

Add tomato puree and crushed tomatoes, than add water and sugar; cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add bay leaf. Rub basil and oregano between your fingers to release the aroma and add to the sauce.

Slice sausages into large chunks and return to the pot with the neck bones; bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 hours.

Remove neck bones and bay leaf. Remove any meat remaining on the bones, shred, and return to the sauce.

Nutrition

569 cal.

Total Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 145mg
Sodium: 2035mg
Total Carbohydrate: 29g
Dietary Fiber: 6g
Protein: 43g
Potassium: 1366mg

How to Make Italian Sunday Sauce - A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

Information

Nutrition

569 cal.

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