Sunday Sauce Recipe

This Sunday Sauce recipe is a deeply rich, slow-simmered Italian meat sauce made with pork spareribs, beef stew meat, and Italian sausage cooked low and slow in crushed tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Featured on Feed My Soul… V!, hosted by Vanessa Gianfrancesco & Stefania Gianfrancesco, this rustic Italian classic is the definition of comfort food meant to be shared.

The Inspiration

Sunday Sauce, often referred to as “gravy” in many Italian-American households, is a beloved tradition that represents family gatherings, patience, and the joy of cooking together. Unlike quick pasta sauces, this version is slow-cooked for hours, allowing layers of flavor to develop as meats simmer gently in tomato sauce.

On Feed My Soul… V!, Vanessa Gianfrancesco and Stefania Gianfrancesco celebrate recipes that honor heritage and bring people together around the table. This Sunday Sauce reflects that spirit perfectly, showcasing how simple ingredients—meat, tomatoes, garlic, and basil—can transform into something extraordinary with time and care.

Each cut of meat contributes its own richness: pork spareribs add depth, beef brings heartiness, and Italian sausage infuses the sauce with spice and seasoning. As everything simmers together, the sauce becomes thick, velvety, and intensely flavorful, capturing the essence of rustic Italian home cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 pound (454 g) pork spareribs
• 1 pound (454 g) beef stew meat
• 1 pound (454 g) Italian sausage
• 6 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
• 3x 28-ounce (828 ml) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• Salt and pepper
• 8 basil leaves, torn
• Grated Parmesan, to top
• Cooked spaghetti

Method

• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, warm the oil. Pat the pork, beef, and sausages dry with paper towels.
• Once the oil is shimmering, place the pork spareribs in the pot. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes total.
• Transfer the pork to a plate. Add the beef to the pot and brown, 7-8 minutes.
• Transfer the beef to the plate. Add the sausages to the pot and brown, 4-5 minutes.
• Set the sausages aside with the pork and beef. Drain all but 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of fat from the pot. Add the garlic and allow to cook until golden, 2-3 minutes.
• Remove and discard the garlic. Stir in the tomato paste and allow to cook for 1 minute.
• Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot. Stir.
• Add the water, return the pork, beef, and sausages, and allow the mixture to come to a simmer.
• Partially cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally for 2-2 ½ hours. If the sauce becomes too thick, sprinkle a bit more water in to thin it out.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper and stir in the basil leaves.
• Serve the sauce over spaghetti with lots of Parmesan on top.

Serving Suggestions

Sunday Sauce is the ultimate centerpiece for a traditional Italian family-style meal. Serve it over spaghetti, rigatoni, or pappardelle to capture the rich, meaty sauce in every bite. Pair it with warm garlic bread or crusty Italian loaf to soak up the extra sauce, and complement the meal with a simple green salad dressed in olive oil and vinegar to balance the richness.

For a full Italian feast, serve alongside antipasto platters featuring cured meats, olives, and cheeses. A glass of red wine such as Chianti or Montepulciano pairs beautifully with the deep, slow-cooked flavors. This dish is perfect for Sunday gatherings, holiday dinners, or any occasion where comfort food and family tradition take center stage.

Final Thoughts

This Sunday Sauce recipe is the definition of slow-cooked Italian comfort food, where time and simple ingredients come together to create something truly unforgettable. The combination of pork, beef, and sausage simmered in rich tomato sauce results in a deeply flavorful dish that is hearty, satisfying, and full of tradition.

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