Veronica’s Homemade Italian Pasta Sauce
🕓 Cook Time: 4 hours
🕒 Prep Time: 1 hour
🕔 Total Time: 5 hours
Description:
This is my mom’s recipe, a cherished family heirloom that I’m certain traces its roots back to my Nani in Italy. Nothing quite compares to the richness and authenticity of homemade Italian pasta sauce. Unlike thicker sauces, this one carries a delightful balance of flavors, and if you prefer it thick, simply skip the water. It’s a generous recipe, perfect for feeding a crowd, and it only gets better with time, tasting even more divine on the second and third days!
Recipe Category:
Sauces
Keywords:
Pork, Poultry, Meat, European, Weeknight, For Large Groups, Oven, Easy
Ingredients:
- 3 cans tomato puree
- 8 cups water
- 3 tsp ground fennel
- 3 tbsp basil
- 3 tbsp oregano
- 3 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 4-6 fresh basil leaves
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 2 eggs
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp oregano
- 2 tbsp basil
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 1 lb country-style boneless pork ribs
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 105.9
- Fat Content: 5.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 2.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 31.9mg
- Sodium Content: 408.2mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 6.4g
- Fiber Content: 1.4g
- Sugar Content: 2.7g
- Protein Content: 8.4g
Servings:
48
Yield:
6 quarts
Recipe Instructions:
Step 1: Sauce
- In a large cooking pot (8 or 10 quart pot), combine the tomato puree, water, and spices.
- Cook over low heat while preparing Step 2.
Step 2: Meatballs, Sausage, and Pork
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey or chicken with eggs, spices, cheese, and bread crumbs.
- Mix thoroughly and form into meatballs.
- Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (about a tablespoon of olive oil works well).
- Fry the meatballs, sausage links, and pork ribs until browned all over. Due to space limitations, fry them in batches, ensuring each batch contains a variety of meats to blend flavors.
- Add the semi-cooked meat and its juices to the sauce.
- Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 4 hours, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent burning.
Enjoy the hearty flavors of this homemade Italian pasta sauce, reminiscent of traditional family recipes passed down through generations! 🍝🇮🇹
