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+ servings
Spaghetti topped with red sauce and fresh basil

Sunday Sauce

The secret to a perfect Sunday Sauce is to cook it low and slow for several hours. No rush and little fuss. It's worth every minute you wait.
5 from 6 votes
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Course: Pasta, Sauces
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: homemade sunday sauce, Italian sauce, tomato sauce
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Quarts of Sauce
Author: Laura Franco

Ingredients 

  • 2 35- ounce cans San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 15- ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 TBS tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup good red wine I use Pinot Noir
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion - diced
  • 1 garlic clove - grated
  • 4-6 sprigs fresh basil
  • 1-1/2 TBS Italian spice seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Grated parmesan cheese for serving
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil at medium heat in a 6 or 8-ounce Dutch oven or soup pan.
  • Add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes
  • Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato paste.
  • Add the San Marzano tomatoes 1 can at a time. After you add the first can, use a potato masher to gently crush the tomatoes. Repeat crushing after you add the second can.
  • Add the tomato sauce, beef broth, and wine.
  • Add the Italian seasoning, sugar, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours.

Notes

Krazy Kitchen Mom Tips 
  • Use San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes for this sauce. To crush them, add them to the pot and then carefully smash them using a potato masher. This will release the juices and make a smooth sauce. To avoid splatter when crushing the tomatoes, make sure the masher is submerged into the tomato liquid before you press down. 
  • Any time you are using canned or fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce add a little sugar. The sugar reduces the strong acid flavor of the tomatoes and also brings out more of the natural sweetness. 
  • If you are freezing this sauce, be sure to write the name and the date on the package. For example, Sunday Sauce/Feb 2020. You can even write thawing and reheating directions on the zip-top bags if you'd like. You can use this sauce for any type of Italian dish that calls for pasta sauce like my Baked Cannelloni Recipe