Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (2024)

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Last Updated on: 28th February 2024, 11:57 am

Learn how to make delicious AUTHENTIC homemade Italian Tomato Sauce with canned tomatoes with just 5 ingredients! This simple recipe makes a big pot for freezing. It’s Vegan and gluten-free.

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (1)

I have fond memories of my late Italian immigrant mother standing at the stove on Sundays stirring her Sunday sauce a.k.a gravy. She and my aunt also made the best tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes too.

LearnHow to Make Tomato Pasta Sauce Less Acidic with Simple Ways.

She made the best tomato sauce! I am so lucky to have grown up with fine Italian cuisine to eat everyday.

I’m also lucky to have all of her delicious and authentic Italian recipes to make for my own family!

I make this spaghetti sauce recipe and freeze the leftovers so I can pull out just the right amount for certain recipes or just to put on pasta.

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (2)

I use it to make my popular Baked Ziti with ricotta cheese.

Using homemade tomato sauce makes any dish so much better! When you see how easy it is to make, you’ll never buy jarred again.

This tomato sauce recipe makes about 4 1/2 quarts of sauce! Because it freezes well, you can freeze what you don’t use or halve the recipe if you think it’s too much.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same.

As a matter of fact, I NEVER buy jarred spaghettis sauce… ever! Why would I when I can make fresh, delicious homemade sauce easily at home that tastes 10 times better without additives and preservatives?

This recipe is similar to myItalian Tomato Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes except it’s EASIER!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same.

Table of Contents

Sunday Sauce

Before I get to the recipe, I want to explain a few things.

Fresh Herbs

Using fresh herbs to make the best Italian gravy recipe is essential. You’ll want to use fresh parsley. You may be wondering why basil isn’t listed here. Italians don’t cook with basil, they’ll add it at the end for some aroma of basil.

Types of Meat

If you want to add meat to this recipe, do it after you’ve cooked the onions and garlic for a few minutes. Below, are the types of meat you can use.

Sausage Links

Add Italian sausage after the garlic and onions have cooked a bit and let them brown on each side before adding the canned tomato sauce or puree.

Pork Rib

Sometimes, I’ll add some pork ribs to this recipe. Again, I add it after the garlic and onions have cooked a bit. Pork gives tomato sauce a wonderful flavor. Don’t be alarmed if your sauce turns a bit orange. Pork will do this when it works it’s magic.

Ground Beef

You can add a pound of ground beef to this recipe (after the garlic and onions but, if you choose to do that, go to my meat sauce recipe.

Large Stock Pot

I like to use a large stock pot when making this recipe because it gives me plenty of room to stir. Plus, when it begins to splatter, the edges of a large pot will catch the splats instead of going all over my stove and back splash.

Trust me, the last thing you want to do is use a pot that’s barely big enough and get burned with hot sauce splatters or a messy stove to clean up. It gets everywhere, even the floor!

Ingredients

  • canned tomato sauce (or tomato puree)
  • good quality extra virgin olive oil (it’s the only kind I use)
  • fresh garlic cloves
  • onions
  • fresh parsley or dried if that’s all you have on hand
  • salt and pepper

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (3)

Instructions

  1. First, in a large Dutch oven or pot on med/high, add oil, minced garlic.Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (4)
  2. Then, add the chopped onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are translucent.Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (5)
  3. Next, slowly and carefully add the tomato sauce. If you add it to fast, it’ll splatter and make a mess of your stove.
  4. Then, add the parsley (fresh or dried.)Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (6)
  5. Next, stir the sauce. You will see a puddle of oil and that’s o.k. because it’ll cook into the sauce and give it great flavor. Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (7)
  6. Then, bring it to a boil, cover reduce heat to low and cook for 2.5 hours stirring every 15 minutes. Be sure to stir the bottom to avoid sticking. Using a heat diffuser helps the sauce not to stick to the bottom of the pot.

Here’s the heat diffuser I use. No more scraping the bottom of the pot to clean it!

Also, if the sauce sticks and you scrape it when stirring, that burnt black pieces will get in your sauce and trust me, you don’t want that!

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (8)Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (9)

Long Cooking Time

As I mentioned above, you’ll want to cook this sauce for about 2 1/2 hours. This gives the sauce time to absorb the olive oil, onions and garlic and spices.

One time, I didn’t let it cook the entire time and it came out a bit raw so, just let it cook and don’t forget to stir it.

Below is a picture of what the sauce looks like after cooking for 2 1/2 hours! It’s DELICIOUS! The first time my friend made this recipe she said her family almost licked their plates clean.

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (10)

It looks rich in color and tastes so flavorful from the garlic, onions and olive oil. Slow cooking it for a long time makes all the difference. You can’t rush greatness!

Tips for Making the BEST Homemade Tomato Sauce

  1. Do NOT add sugar! None… not even a spoonful. If you find the acidity to be high in the tomatoes, add 1/4 cup of minced carrots.
  2. Do NOT add water to the pot. No, no, no! Do not rinse out the tin containers and add that to the sauce. It will water down your sauce and dilute the flavor.
  3. If you don’t have fresh or dried parsley, feel free to use Italian seasoning instead.
  4. Do not use plain olive oil or any other kind of oil. You need a good quality EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL! It adds great flavor to this recipe. I’ve never used anything but EVOO.
  5. If you taste test it at the end of the cooking time and feel it needs more garlic, add a sprinkle of garlic powder.
  6. If you fancy, add 1/2-3/4 cup of dry white wine at the point of cooking the onions and garlic, cover and continue with instructions.
  7. You may add meat (Italian sausage, ground beef or pork spare ribs,) add 1 lb- 1.5lb about 3 minutes after adding the onions and garlic.

Red Sauce

Red sauce is an American favorite. How many times have your heard people asking for extra sauce for their pasta, stromboli, or cheesesteak?

This authentic Italian homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is naturally Vegan and gluten-free. It tastes great on any pasta. It’s nice to have a Vegan recipe to offer your friends who are Vegan. So, keep this recipe in mind for those occasions.

You don’t have to use meat to make spaghetti sauce. I often don’t and this delicious recipe is proof.

This recipe is the same one I use to make my authentic Italian meatballs.

San Marzano Tomatoes

You can use San Marzano tomatoes to make this recipe. They’re imported from Italy and are really good although, they’re pricy. I mostly see them in whole form so, you will need to puree them first before adding them.

How to Freeze homemade Spaghetti Sauce

It’s very simple to freeze homemade sauce.

  1. First, let the sauce cool to warm, not hot temperature.
  2. Then, using a ladle, add the sauce to plastic containers that have tight-fitting lids.
  3. Next, if the sauce is still warm, allow it to cool in the containers.
  4. Then, label the containers with “Spaghetti Sauce” and the date.
  5. Next, put the containers in your freezer.

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (11)

How long does homemade tomato sauce last in the freezer?

I keep my tomato sauce in the freezer for months. It will retain its best quality up to six months but, is safe to store in your freezer longer without jeopardizing much of the quality. I like to date my sauce so I can remove the older sauce first.

So, if you find tomato sauce in your freezer that’s 9 months or even a year old, don’t throw it away.

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (12)

You’re going to love this spaghetti sauce recipe. My friend told me the first time she made this recipe she licked the plate clean and said she’d never use store-bought jarred sauce again.

Treat your family to a great with this flavorful sauce.

You may also like:

Italian Tomato Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

Creamy Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

Rose Pasta Sauce

How to Make Tomato Pasta Sauce Less Acidic with Simple Ways

See more Italian recipes!

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (13)

Print Pin

4.74 from 260 votes

Authentic Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce

This authentic Italian spaghetti sauce is seasoned with fresh onions, garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive. It's perfect for any pasta. Vegetarian, Vegan and gluten-free.

Course sauce

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings 37 4 oz servings

Calories 54cal

Author Joanne Schweitzer

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 7 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped or 1/2 large onion
  • 145 oz canned tomato sauce tomato puree will work
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • First, in a large Dutch oven or pot, add oil, minced garlic and chopped onion. Stir and cook on med/high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

  • Next, slowly (to avoid splatters) add tomato sauce to the oil mixture. It will look oily and that's o.k. Stir it so the oil is combined with the sauce.

  • Then, add the parsley and pepper. If you choose to add salt, it's best to add it at the END of the cooking time so you can judge if it is to your liking as is. The canned tomatoes have a good bit of salt already.

  • Next, bring sauce to a boil, cover and cook on low heat for 2.5 hours. Stir (to the bottom of the pot) every 15 minutes to avoid sticking and burning. Using a heat diffuser, works well.

  • Last, allow sauce to cool completely before putting in refrigerator or freezing.

Video

Notes

How to Freeze homemade Spaghetti Sauce

  1. First, let the sauce cool to warm, not hot temperature.
  2. Then, using a ladle, add the sauce to plastic containers that have tight-fitting lids.
  3. Next, if the sauce is still warm, allow it to cool in the containers.
  4. Then, label the containers with "Spaghetti Sauce" and the date.
  5. Next, put the containers in your freezer.

Freeze up to 6 months for freshness but, can be frozen up to one year safely.

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz | Calories: 54cal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 527mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 499IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe (Tomato Sauce) + VIDEO (2024)

FAQs

Do Italians refer to tomato sauce as gravy? ›

Here's the gist: the two ways Italians say “sauce” in Italian are salsa and/or sugo. Both words translate as “sauce” but never as “gravy.” Ragù doesn't even translate as “gravy” but comes close enough since it involves meat which is what people really mean when they say “gravy” (my personal opinion).

What's the difference between tomato sauce and Sunday gravy? ›

What Is The Difference Between Sauce and Gravy? Sunday Sauce and Sunday Gravy are used interchangeably for the same dish, and the preference varies among Italian families. It basically boils down to whose Nonna's Sunday gravy recipe you're talking about.

Is tomato gravy the same as tomato sauce? ›

Mostly everywhere else in the United States, sauce is the go-to term to describe tomato sauce found on pasta, whereas gravy is used more for what we pour on turkey during Thanksgiving.

What is the difference between Ragu and Sunday gravy? ›

Sunday sauce refers to a much thicker ragù eaten at big family gatherings on Sundays since it takes several hours to cook right. It's sometimes called Sunday gravy or simply Italian red sauce. It's much closer to a marinara sauce but, since it includes meat, it's considered a ragù.

What does "sugo" mean in Italian? ›

Sugo, meaning 'sauce' in Italian, is a traditional tomato sauce. Contrary to popular belief it is not tomato passata, which is a concentrated, sieved tomato puree. Instead, sugo is made from ripe tomatoes cooked with extra virgin olive oil, onions and garlic, and seasoned.

What do Italians call tomato sauce with meat? ›

Ragu`: Without a doubt, one of the most common and beloved Italian red sauces is a Ragu`. Ragu` is what we typically think of when we picture Mamma or Nonna in the kitchen, slow cooking a sauce for hours on end. Typically, it is a red sauce with meat, and you will see different versions all over Italy.

What do Italians call Sunday gravy? ›

This authentic recipe for Italian Sunday gravy, sauce, or sugo, as my family calls it - is a rich tradition that's been passed down through my Sicilian family for generations.

Did Italians use tomato sauce? ›

The first known use of tomato sauce with pasta appears in the Italian cookbook L'Apicio moderno, by the Roman chef Francesco Leonardi, published in 1790. Italian tomato dishes range from simple pasta al pomodoro to the piquant puttanesca and arrabbiata sauces.

What did Italians eat before tomato sauce? ›

Before tomatoes, the Italian diet was largely similar to the diet throughout the rest of the Mediterranean. Bread, pasta, olives, and beans were all staples, and Italians also made a variety of different types of polenta.

What do Italians call spaghetti? ›

Not when speaking Italian: spaghetti is an italian word, and it is the plural of spaghetto. No need to call them elsewhere. “Spagett” (double t at end) is the Milanese (and Lombard) translation of “Spaghetti”. So they do if an when they speak those dialects.

Why do Italians call spaghetti sauce gravy? ›

Some people believe that when sauce stands alone, it can be called sauce, but when meat is added, it becomes gravy. An article from Matador Network contributes it to immigrants assimilating - they saw people putting actual gravy on turkey and started calling sauce gravy, since it went on top of meat too.

What do British people call tomato sauce? ›

In Britain, the word ketchup is used, but it's also often called tomato sauce, which sounds confusing if you're a fan of Italian food; in North America tomato sauce goes on pasta and pizza, not French fries.

Why do Italians put milk in ragù? ›

According to our Food Director Amira, not only does milk add a rich flavour to the bolognese, but it also “helps cut through the acidity of the tomatoes and red wine”.

Why was ragù discontinued? ›

“The decision is part of a realignment aimed at consolidating our brand offerings in the markets where we compete most effectively. We remain committed to leading the pasta-sauce category in North America.”

Do Italians use ragù? ›

Ragù alla bolognese is one of the sauce most characteristic of Italian cuisine is what has consecrated the Beautiful Country, as a maximum, the holder of the good kitchen. We also prepare this sauce with minced meat. Many people use different types of meat: in the original version there is beef and pork.

What type of Italians call sauce gravy? ›

The term 'gravy' isn't Italian, so you won't likely find Italians calling their sauces 'gravy' – but 'sauce' does go by 'salsa' or 'sugo' in Italian, along with 'ragu', which means meat sauce!

Where in Italy do they call it gravy? ›

We don't. In Italy we speak Italian, and gravy is not an Italian word.

Do New Yorkers call spaghetti sauce gravy? ›

“I think mostly it's a geographical thing, with Jersey Italians preferring gravy whereas New Yorkers and people on Long Island saying sauce. The sources that I used in my book were from 1900-1940, and invariably the word sauce is used and very rarely did I encounter the word gravy.

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