Italian Red Sauce Recipe
This exquisite Italian Red Sauce is the heart of Italian cooking. Slow-simmered to capture Nonna's kitchen essence, it's more than a sauce—it's a taste of tradition in every spoonful!
Servings 12
Calories 63kcal
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery finely chopped
- 2 carrots finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 twenty-eight-ounce cans gluten free tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1 six-ounce gluten free tomato paste
- red wine
- 1 dried bay leaf
- oregano to taste
- 1 inch parmesan cheese rind
- gluten free meatballs fried
- pork chops browned
- Italian Sweet sausage browned
- grated parmigiana cheese optional
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven pot, heat the oil over a medium flame. Then add your onions, celery and carrots and sauté until the onions are translucent, about ten minutes. Add your garlic and stir for one more minute.1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 small onion, 2 stalks celery, 2 carrots, 1 garlic clove
- Turn flame down to a simmer and slowly add the tomato puree, tomato paste, bay leaf, oregano, parmesan cheese rind, and salt.1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 twenty-eight-ounce cans gluten free tomato puree, 1 six-ounce gluten free tomato paste, 1 dried bay leaf, oregano, 1 inch parmesan cheese rind
- Then add a splash of red wine. Add cooked meats.red wine
- Stir now and then and simmer covered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 3 hours.Remove the bay leaf and parmesan cheese rind. Serve with freshly grated parmesan on the side. Mangia!grated parmigiana cheese
Notes
Brining for Juicy Chops: For the juiciest chops, the most important tip that I can give you is to brine the chops. Simply soak them in salt water for an hour, trapping in moisture. After brining, rinse off the salt water and pat dry. The result: tenderized, juicy chops ready to brown and join the simmering sauce.
Delicious Meatballs for the Sauce: For delicious meatballs, try my gluten free meatballs or low carb meatballs alternative, add these savory delights to your simmering sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Italian Sweet Sausage: Not all sausages are gluten free so be sure to check the ingredients. These brands of sausages are gluten free and I have used them at different times in this recipe: Premio, Niman Ranch, and Kayem. If you have raw sausages like Premio, you’ll need to boil your sausage for 20 minutes. And then, brown them.
Once browned, add the sausages to the simmering sauce for a rich and savory infusion.
- Can I use whole tomatoes instead of tomato puree? Absolutely! However, the cooking time will be longer to break down the tomatoes. Stir occasionally so they don't burn. Adjust seasonings as needed. Then add your meat.
- Can I add other herbs to enhance the flavor of Italian red sauce? Certainly! While oregano and bay leaf are traditional, feel free to experiment with basil, thyme, or rosemary for added depth and personal flair. Adjust the quantities to suit your taste preferences and discover your perfect herb blend.
- Do I have to include a Parmesan cheese rind? While not mandatory, a Parmesan cheese rind infuses a subtle richness. If unavailable, the sauce will still be delicious.
- Can I make the sauce ahead of time? Yes, preparing the sauce in advance allows flavors to develop. Refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Leftover sauce will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days or you can freeze this sauce for later. Let the sauce cool before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the freezer for 4-6 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 63kcal
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