Description
A rich, hearty sauce perfect for family gatherings, featuring tender beef, flavorful sausage, and homemade meatballs simmered in a savory tomato base.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 small yellow or sweet onion, finely diced
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- A pinch of red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 28-ounce cans of whole peeled tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon minced Italian parsley
- A pinch of sugar (optional)
- 1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage (hot, sweet, or a mix)
- 1 batch homemade Italian meatballs or 16-20 store-bought meatballs (pre-cooked)
- Pasta (for serving)
- Grated Pecorino Romano cheese (for serving)
- Ricotta cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper, sear until browned, then set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add onions, and cook until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 2 more minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste; cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, bay leaves, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Add one can of water, crush whole tomatoes if using.
- Bring to a boil, then add beef, sausage, and meatballs. Simmer for about 3 hours, stirring every 20 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning as needed, then serve with pasta and cheese.
Notes
For a smoother sauce, blend tomatoes before adding them.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: main dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 421 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg