Description
A rich and hearty Authentic Italian Gravy featuring slow-roasted beef short ribs, savory Italian sausage, and a robust blend of tomatoes and herbs simmered to perfection. This deeply flavorful sauce pairs perfectly with pasta for a classic Italian meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Wine
- 1 cup red wine plus 1/4 cup
- 4 beef short ribs
- 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and drained
Aromatics and Seasonings
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Oils and Liquids
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
Tomato Ingredients
- 2 28–ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 6–ounce can tomato paste
- 1 28–ounce can tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Roasting Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large roasting pan, combine 1 cup of red wine, extra virgin olive oil, beef short ribs, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Roast the Beef Short Ribs: Place the roasting pan in the oven and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This slow roasting will infuse deep flavors into the meat and aromatics.
- Transfer to Stockpot and Simmer: Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Transfer all contents, including the beef ribs and aromatics, into a 6-quart stockpot set over medium-low heat. Add the remaining ¼ cup of red wine and simmer gently for 30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Tomato and Herbs: Stir in the whole peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, dried basil, dried oregano, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly, then let the sauce simmer uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 4 to 6 hours or until the sauce reduces and thickens to your desired consistency.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the beef ribs from the sauce and discard the bones. Stir in the cooked and drained Italian sausage. Continue simmering the sauce for an additional 1 hour, allowing all flavors to combine beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the luscious Italian gravy hot over 1 pound of cooked pasta of your choice for a classic Italian entrée.
Notes
- Simmering the sauce for several hours enhances the depth of flavor and tenderness of the meat.
- If preferred, you can substitute the beef short ribs with other beef cuts suitable for slow roasting.
- The sauce can be made a day ahead; flavors improve when reheated.
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best sauce flavor.
- Drain excess fat from cooked sausage for a leaner sauce.
