Description
Italian Sunday Sauce (Ragù della Domenica) is a slow cooked tomato sauce, that’s full of tender beef, pork ribs, meatballs and Italian sausage. This hearty Sunday classic is perfect with pasta and even better the next day.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) beef chuck or brisket, cut into large chunks
- 1 lb (450g) pork ribs
- 4 Italian sausages (sweet or spicy)
- 1/2 lb uncooked meatballs (optional)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) red wine (optional)
- 2 cans (28 oz / 800g each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240ml) beef broth or water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
- Cooked spaghetti or rigatoni, for serving
- Grated Parmesan, for topping
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside. Do the same with the pork ribs and sausages.
- Lower the heat to medium. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Let the wine cook down for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, water or broth, salt, pepper, and sugar (if needed). Stir to combine.
- Return all the browned meats to the pot. Push them down so they are mostly covered with sauce.
- Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat to low. Partially cover and simmer gently for 3–4 hours, stirring every now and then. 1 hour before serving add the meatballs if using – this prevents them from falling apart.
- When the meat is very tender, turn off the heat. Remove the meat and shred or slice if desired. Stir chopped basil or parsley into the sauce.
- Serve the sauce over pasta with pieces of meat on top or on the side. Sprinkle with Parmesan and enjoy.
Notes
For a smoother sauce, blend one can of tomatoes before adding.
Use sweet and spicy sausage for a deeper flavor.
Skim off excess fat during cooking if needed.
Leftover sauce is great for lasagna or baked pasta dishes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main dish
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 630 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 35g