Description
Authentic Italian Gravy is a rich, slow-cooked tomato sauce made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs. It’s perfect for pasta, lasagna, or bread dipping, offering a bold, hearty flavor.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes, then add the beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the sugar, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Mix well.
- Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- After simmering, taste and adjust the seasoning. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve over pasta, in lasagna, or with bread for dipping.
Notes
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef for a lighter version.
For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Can be made vegetarian by using mushrooms or lentils in place of meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
