Authentic Italian Sunday Sauce Recipe
This Authentic Italian Sunday Sauce is a rich, hearty tomato-based sauce slow-simmered with aromatic herbs and your choice of meat, making it a perfect comforting meal for gatherings. It combines the flavors of crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, and a hint of spice, resulting in a deeply flavorful sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Meat
- 1–2 pounds of meat (Italian sausage, chicken thighs, or beef)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to get ready for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté the onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn.
- Brown the meat: Add your choice of 1-2 pounds of meat (such as Italian sausage, chicken thighs, or beef) to the pot and brown it thoroughly. Once browned, remove the meat and set it aside temporarily.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine.
- Return the meat and simmer: Return the browned meat to the pot with the sauce. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. For a deeper flavor, simmer for up to 4 hours.
- Adjust seasoning and finish: Taste the sauce near the end of cooking and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the rich Sunday Sauce hot over cooked pasta, creamy polenta, or with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Simmering the sauce for longer (up to 4 hours) enhances the depth of flavor.
- You can use any type of meat or a combination, such as Italian sausage, chicken thighs, or beef, based on preference.
- Red pepper flakes add mild heat but can be omitted for a milder sauce.
- Serve with your favorite pasta, polenta, or crusty bread for a traditional Italian meal.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Italian Sunday Sauce, authentic Italian sauce, slow simmered tomato sauce, Italian meat sauce, homemade marinara, pasta sauce recipe
Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/authentic-italian-sunday-sauce-recipe/
