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    Home » My Favorites

    Nov 6, 2021 · Modified: Jan 30, 2022 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income via ads.

    Sunday Gravy (Spaghetti Sauce)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Forget everything you know about what to call a rich, homemade spaghetti sauce. Sunday Gravy is scratch-made, slow cooked, tomato-based spaghetti sauce that is delicious served over your favorite pasta. Sunday is in the title because it could easily be made on a weekend, when there's more likely time to allow for the long, slow cooking process.

    Note: Some of the links on this page are paid links, Amazon Associates. This means I make a small commission when you click and shop. Your cost is always the same and I only link to and recommend products or ingredients that I use.

    A plate with spaghetti and sauce on top with a fork scooping up some pasta to create a serving

    Ingredients to Have on Hand

    • San Marzano canned tomatoes, or any high quality canned crushed tomatoes
    • Fresh basil
    • Italian Seasoning
    • Garlic
    • Red wine, optional
    • Beef shank, pork neck bone or spare ribs
    Three cans of crushed tomatoes, garlic and basil near a wine bottle
    I like to add red wine to the sauce. As an option, you can swap it out for the same amount of water.

    Inspired by the Sopranos

    I've been tinkering with my homemade spaghetti sauce recipe for years. But it was while recently watching "The Sopranos" that I was inspired to simplify the ingredients. There's one episode where Tony Soprano remarks on the quality of the sauce while dining at Artie's restaurant, "The gravy's good tonight," he says. Even though it's on TV, you can practically smell the delicious sauce, I mean, gravy.

    Two jars of spaghetti sauce next to a clove of garlic and fresh basil leaves

    There is a wonderful cookbook inspired by the food featured on the show, called The Sopranos Family Cookbook: As Compiled by Artie Bucco. This recipe was adapted from the Sunday Gravy recipe found in that cookbook.

    Note: The Crinkled Cookbook is in no way affiliated with the Sopranos TV series, HBO series, movie or cookbook. This recipe was simply adapted from, and inspired by the food and recipes found in those places.

    Lots of Meat Options

    Everyone who makes Sunday Gravy on a regular basis has their own rules for which cut, or cuts, of meat to add. That's especially true if it's a recipe that's been passed down over the years with plenty of beloved family recommendations.

    I like to simmer the sauce with a bone-in beef shank, it's an inexpensive cut of meat and is easy to find. But there are countless options.

    Spaghetti sauce, spices and fresh basil simmering in a pot on the stove

    Many folks swear by the flavor found by simmering the sauce with pork neck bones, spare ribs, veal, sausage, or all of them together. I've even made this using a pork chop or two found in the back of the freezer. Mix, match and use whatever cut of meat you prefer. Just remember, you only need the meat and bones to help flavor the sauce, you'll remove the bones and what's left of the meat after simmering. But feel free to serve the cooked meat it on the side so nothing goes to waste.

    Take Your Time

    Don't rush the process. When you make Sunday gravy, or in other words, a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce, plan to take your time. There are lots of fast food recipes out there, this isn't one of them. Enjoy the leisurely process that goes into this sauce simmering on the stove for several hours and relax as the flavors blend for several hours. The more time it simmers, the better.

    Beef shank browning in a pot with olive oil on a stove
    The bone-in beef shank is an inexpensive cut of meat that adds delicious, rich flavor to homemade spaghetti sauce.

    Storing Leftovers

    One of the best things about this recipe is that it makes a large batch. I always freeze leftovers in quart-sized, freezer safe containers and then defrost as needed. But the sauce, or gravy, will stay fresh in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. It's great to use the gravy for spaghetti for one meal, then when layering a lasagna for another.

    Sunday gravy in jars with a lid and a wooden spoon on the side next to a bulb of garlic and fresh basil

    Top Tips and FAQ

    What's a good substitute for red wine?

    Plain water is a fine substitution. This recipe calls for a mere ¼ cup of red wine and while I believe it adds great richness to this sauce, red wine is not required to getting good results. Your Sunday Gravy will still be delicious without it.

    Can I use garlic powder or dried basil instead of fresh garlic and fresh basil?

    In a pinch, probably. But I don't recommend that substitution. There's nothing like the flavor infused from fresh garlic and basil. Granted, I do add dried Italian seasoning to this recipe, just because I love that flavor combination, but when it comes to garlic and basil, fresh is best.

    Why do you call this gravy?

    I totally get it, by all appearances this is simply spaghetti sauce. But referring to a rich, tomato-based sauce as gravy has been around for generations and based on my research it's especially true for many Italian-American families from the Northeastern U.S. For me and my family, its a playful way to refer to a scratch-made spaghetti sauce that's slow-cooked with meat.

    Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

    In my experience good quality canned, crushed tomatoes provide the very best texture and taste as the base for homemade spaghetti sauce. Fresh tomatoes will create a different result. Partly because of the texture but also because of the water content in fresh tomatoes.

    A plate with spaghetti and sauce on top with a fork scooping up some pasta to create a serving

    Vegetarian Option

    This recipe is easily adapted for the vegetarians in the family. Simply leave the meat out! The sauce will still turn out delicious. I've found that simmering a rind or two of parmesan cheese is a great way to boost flavor in soups, sauces and yes, Sunday Gravy.

    Spaghetti sauce and pasta noodles on a plate with a fork, basil on the edge and a napkin

    Perfect Pairings for Sunday Gravy

    Here are a few of my favorite pairings for Sunday Gravy (Spaghetti Sauce) and pasta.

    • Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
    • Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
    • Homemade Meatballs

    Be sure to give a star rating to the recipes you make from the Crinkled Cookbook. I always love hearing from you. Sharing is great too! Use the buttons after the recipe to text it with just one click or send it to family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook. Enjoy.

    Sunday gravy in jars with a lid and a wooden spoon on the side next to a bulb of garlic and fresh basil

    Sunday Gravy (Spaghetti Sauce)

    Sunday Gravy is scratch-made, slow cooked, tomato-based spaghetti sauce that is delicious served over pasta. Sunday is in the title because it could easily be made on a weekend, when there's more likely to be ample time to allow for a long, slow cooking process.
    5 from 29 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
    Servings: 10 cups, approximately
    Calories: 49kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 small beef shank with bone, roughly ¾ lb
    • 4-5 cloves garlic crushed
    • 3 28 ounce cans San Marzano crushed tomatoes or any variety of high quality canned, crushed tomatoes
    • ¾ cup water
    • ¼ cup red wine optional
    • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
    • 10 fresh basil leaves torn, about ¼ cup
    • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 2 teaspoons pepper

    Instructions

    Brown Meat

    • Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot on the stove over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Place the beef shank in the hot oil, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, and brown. It will take about 15 minutes. Add crushed garlic and cook until the garlic is softened and fragrant. If there’s excess fat on the beef shank, remove it from the pan and slice off the excess fat.

    Combine Ingredients

    • Return the beef to the pan. Reduce the heat and add all of the remaining ingredients. Stir gently to combine, leaving the beef shank in large chunks in the sauce.

    Simmer and Serve

    • Once the sauce starts to simmer, partially cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to low. Cook for at least 2 hours, preferably more like 3-4 hours, stirring now and then.
    • Remove the bone and any visible chunks of meat from the sauce. Stir the sauce and add a little water if needed to create the consistency you like. Serve over your favorite pasta, use it make lasagna, etc.
    Did you make this recipe? Scroll up and leave a star rating.Tap @crinkledcookbook and follow me today.

    Notes

    Use any type of meat you'd like to flavor the "gravy" or sauce. If there's a lone pork chop in the freezer, this recipe is a great way to use that. A lot of folks like to use pork neck bones or even spare ribs or sausage. I like beef shank because it's inexpensive and just the right size to add flavor to this amount of sauce. But by all means, experiment and find the meat or combination of meats that bring the best flavor for your family's tastes. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 49kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 474mgPotassium: 73mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 43IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database and are offered here only as a guideline for informational purposes.

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