I love Spaghetti Sauce, or Sunday Sauce, or Italian Gravy-no matter what you call it, I call it delicious. I also call it a great family memory…
Family memories are so precious, I can remember my grandma making this and then my mom, and now my daughter and I. The memories don’t stop there, so many occasions like my sister making it for us, making it for family & friend celebrations, sharing it with my son, daughter-n-law and my future son-n-law and my husband raving to everyone about it like a prized recipe=priceless. The recipe has changed a very little over time but what hasn’t is all of the wonderful memories in every batch!
Angie’s Sauce
Serves 12 with leftovers
Recipe can be reduced and/or increased it is pretty adaptable-I have made it for 4 or 40 before!
6 Italian Sausage Links, cut into thirds
2 lbs 80% ground beef
3 cans tomato sauce (84oz total or so)
3 cans diced or stewed tomatoes (32oz total or so)
1 can tomato paste (12oz or so)
2 green peppers, seeds removed, chopped
1 sweet onion, peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 large pack of mushrooms (2 cups or so), sliced
3 Tbsp milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
4 Tbsp oregano
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Salt & Pepper-generous amounts
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1. Brown Italian sausage well in oil, discard most of the oil after browned, a little is okay.
2. Add sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, green peppers, onion, garlic, mushrooms, sugar, oregano and salt and pepper.
3. Take 1 small handful of raw ground beef and sprinkle into the sauce.
4. In a large bowl mix remaining ground beef, milk and eggs well. Add about 1/2 cup of uncooked sauce to the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Form meatballs and put in sauce. Gently push under sauce. Don’t stir or move sauce at all after meatballs are in for at least 1 hour.
6. Choose one way to cook it;
-Covered in a large roasting/baking pan. Bring to simmer on stove and then put in 350 degrees for a good 4 hours or more. This is my favorite way.
-Covered in a large Stock Pot on the Stove. Bring to simmer on stove and reduce to low for at least 3-4 hours, stirring often to prevent the bottom from burning.
-Covered in a slow-cooker for at least 6 hours.
7. During the last hour of cooking remove the cover and stir in fresh basil, leave the cover off.
8. Sausage and meatballs should be cooked until internal temperature of 165 degrees.
9. Enjoy over pasta (spaghetti is best!) with a little salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, good bread and a nice glass of wine with family and friends!
Life is wizzing by, take time when you can to cook with a loved one. Share the recipe, make a mistake or two and laugh a lot!
Have a great day!
-Angie