Description
Hearty Italian Sunday Sauce brings generations of family tradition to your kitchen, simmering with rich tomato depth and aromatic herbs. Slow-cooked beef and pork meld into a comforting classic you’ll savor with crusty bread and cherished memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 pounds of meat (Italian sausage, chicken thighs, or beef)
- 2 (28 ounces / 794 grams) cans crushed tomatoes
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm extra virgin olive oil in a generously sized cooking vessel over medium-low temperature, gently sautéing diced onions until they transform into a translucent, soft texture, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for roughly 45-60 seconds, being cautious not to brown.
- Carefully sear the selected meat cuts in the same pot, developing a rich caramelized exterior, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the pot, incorporating dried oregano, fresh basil, optional red pepper flakes, a hint of sugar, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, blending ingredients thoroughly.
- Reintroduce the browned meat into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, partially covering the pot for 1.5 to 3 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching and allow flavors to meld deeply.
- Periodically taste the sauce, adjusting seasoning with additional herbs or spices as needed, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile.
- Remove bay leaf and any large herb stems before presenting the rich, robust sauce alongside your preferred accompaniment like handmade pasta, creamy polenta, or rustic Italian bread, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Elevate the sauce’s richness by using a mix of meats like beef, pork, and Italian sausage for complex, layered flavors.
- Control spiciness by adjusting red pepper flakes; start with a pinch and gradually increase to suit personal heat preference.
- Maximize depth by slow-cooking the sauce, allowing ingredients to meld and develop intense, concentrated taste profiles.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by ensuring tomato products are certified and serving over zucchini noodles or alternative pasta options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (up to 4 hours)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg