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Home » Recipes » Sunday Gravy Recipe (Italian Sunday Sauce)

Sunday Gravy Recipe (Italian Sunday Sauce)

By: Liz  /  Published: August 9, 2020  /  Updated: August 9, 2020  /   Leave a comment

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This Sunday gravy recipe—also called Italian Sunday sauce— is a long-standing culinary tradition within Italian families. 

The term “Sunday gravy” referred to the Sunday afternoon meal of slow-simmered and seasoned tomato and meat sauce served over pasta. The family would gather each week for fellowship while enjoying their mother or grandmother’s Sunday gravy.

Seeing as how my sweetie is Italian, I finally asked him to make his version of Italian Sunday sauce so I could share the recipe here on Eat Move Make. 

Sunday gravy over penne pasta on white plate

Ingredients for Italian Sunday sauce

  • fresh tomatoes 
  • tomato paste
  • sugar (this takes away the acid bite)
  • garlic
  • salt
  • pepper
  • oregano
  • basil
  • thyme
  • olive oil
  • Italian sausage links
  • meatballs

thyme, oregano, basil, onion and garlic on cutting board

How to make Sunday gravy

Step 1: Cut off ends of tomatoes, then chop them.

diced tomatoes on cutting board

Step 2: Puree the tomatoes in a food processor or blender. This will have to be done in batches. Pour into slow cooker.

Step 3: Stir the remaining ingredients (except for the meat) and set cook temperature to low.

spices in Sunday gravy

Step 4: Fry the Italian sausage links until seared and browned. Add to the Sunday sauce.

Italian sausage links browned

Step 5: Make Italian meatballs and bake them for about 20 minutes before adding them to the Sunday sauce.

meatballs in Sunday gravy

Let the Sunday sauce simmer for 6-8 hours then serve over your choice of pasta.

spoonful of Sunday gravy

Italian Sunday sauce recipe variations

For a quicker Sunday gravy recipe, substitute fresh tomatoes with 3 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes.

If using dried spices, alter the amounts to 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon basil and 1/2 tablespoon thyme.

To cook on the stove, use a large stockpot and simmer for 6+ hours, stirring frequently so the Italian Sunday gravy doesn’t stick or burn.

Italian Sunday sauce on pasta with fresh parmesan cheese

Other pasta recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Linguine with basil and brie
  • Garlic broccoli pasta
  • Garden fresh pasta salad with cilantro lime drizzle
  • Grilled summertime veggies with pasta
  • Penne pasta with pumpkin sauce
Italian Sunday sauce on pasta with fresh parmesan cheese

Sunday Gravy (Italian Sunday Sauce)

Liz - Eat Move Make
Slow-simmered tomato sauce cooked in the Italian tradition with meat. Worth the wait!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 6 hrs
Total Time 6 hrs 20 mins
Course Entree
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 509 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 lbs roma tomatoes
  • 1 12 oz can tomato paste
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • ⅓ cup onion chopped
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons fresh oregano chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5 Italian sausage links
  • 1 pound meatballs

Instructions
 

  • Cut ends off Roma tomatoes then chop. Puree in blender or food processor until smooth. This will need to be done in batches because of the volume. Pour into slow cooker.
    diced tomatoes on cutting board
  • Add remaining ingredients, except for meat. Set slow cooker to low.
    spices in Sunday gravy
  • Fry sausages in skillet until seared and browned on the outside. Add to sauce.
    Italian sausage links browned
  • Prepare meatballs and bake for 20 minutes. (If meatballs are smaller, they don't need to bake as long. Mine are usually about 1+ ounce each - about 14 meatballs). Add baked meatballs to sauce.
    meatballs in Sunday gravy
  • Cook on low heat for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.

Notes

For a faster recipe, substitute fresh tomatoes with 3 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes.
If using dried spices, alter the amounts to 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon basil and 1/2 tablespoon thyme.
To cook on the stovetop, use a large stockpot and simmer gently for 6 hours, stirring often.
All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only and nutrition may vary according to exact products and the online nutrition calculator being used. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on EatMoveMake.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition

Calories: 509kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 23gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 996mgPotassium: 1060mgFiber: 5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 2516IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

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I’m Liz! Thank you for visiting Eat Move Make. Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious year-round recipes, seasonal ideas, and DIY craft inspiration. Visit my About Me page for more of my story.

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I’m the founder of Eat Move Make and a North Carolina mom of two humans and six cats. I love to cook, bake, craft and travel. I’m also addicted to tea (but not sweet tea).

When I’m not creating something in my kitchen, and since my kids are now adults, I’m all about my bucket list of travel destinations and adventures.

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