Authentic Clemenza's Sunday Gravy
Experience the essence of Italian family traditions with this Authentic Clemenza's Sunday Gravy, inspired by the legendary 'Godfather' movie. This hearty sauce features a medley of succulent meats—sweet Italian sausage, tender spareribs, flavorful ground beef, and pork—slow-cooked in a rich tomato base infused with garlic and spices. Ideal for Sunday family gatherings or special occasions, this recipe combines the warmth of home cooking with the unforgettable richness that will turn any meal into a feast. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a delightful and satisfying dish that embodies the spirit of Italian cuisine.
N/A
Servings
230
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive Oil
1/2 cup (For frying meatballs and sautéing.)
Onions
2 medium, chopped (Sautéed for the sauce.)
Garlic Cloves
14, minced (Used in both meatballs and sauce.)
Crushed Tomatoes
8 (28-ounce) cans (Base of the sauce.)
Tomato Paste
1 (6-ounce) can (To deepen flavor of the sauce.)
Spareribs
2 lbs (Cut into individual ribs.)
Sweet Italian Sausage
2 lbs (Boiled briefly before adding to sauce.)
Water
1 cup (Added to tomato mixture.)
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 teaspoon (For heat in the sauce.)
Sea Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (To taste.)
Black Pepper
1 tablespoon (To taste.)
Ground Beef
1 lb (Used in meatballs.)
Ground Pork
1 lb (Used in meatballs.)
Eggs
2 (Binder for meatballs.)
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup (Flavors the meatballs.)
Instructions
1
1. Start with meatball preparation: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, minced garlic, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until just combined.
2
2. Shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size, from small to large.
3
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry the meatballs until they are nicely browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
4
4. In a large pot, heat olive oil over low flame. Add finely chopped onions and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 3 minutes.
5
5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Stir well and raise the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a very low simmer.
6
6. Cut spareribs between the bones to create individual ribs and add them to the pot.
7
7. In a separate pot, place the sausages, cover them with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, then drain and add to the sauce pot.
8
8. Allow the sauce to simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
9
9. Add the browned meatballs to the sauce and continue to simmer for an additional hour.
10
10. Serve the sauce over your favorite short pasta, such as rigatoni, gnocchi, or ziti, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
14g
Carbs
11g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clemenza's Sunday Gravy?
Clemenza's Sunday Gravy is a hearty, slow-cooked Italian meat sauce inspired by the movie 'The Godfather,' featuring a mix of meatballs, sausages, and spareribs.
Which movie inspired this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the legendary 'Godfather' movie.
What types of meat are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses four types of meat: sweet Italian sausage, pork spareribs, ground beef, and ground pork.
How many garlic cloves are required?
This recipe calls for a total of 14 minced garlic cloves, divided between the meatballs and the sauce.
How many cans of tomatoes are needed?
You will need 8 cans of 28-ounce crushed tomatoes to create the base of the sauce.
How are the meatballs prepared?
The meatballs are made by combining ground beef, ground pork, minced garlic, eggs, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper, then shaping them into balls.
Do I need to fry the meatballs?
Yes, the meatballs should be fried in olive oil over medium heat until they are nicely browned on all sides before being added to the sauce.
Why are the sausages boiled?
The sausages are boiled in water for 10 minutes before being added to the sauce to ensure they are partially cooked and to remove excess fat.
When do I add the spareribs?
The spareribs are cut between the bones and added directly to the pot once the tomato mixture has been brought to a boil and reduced to a simmer.
What is the total simmering time for the sauce?
The sauce simmers for an initial 1 hour and 15 minutes, followed by another hour after the meatballs are added, totaling over 2 hours.
What type of pasta goes best with this gravy?
It is best served over short pasta shapes such as rigatoni, gnocchi, or ziti.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe uses one 6-ounce can of tomato paste to deepen the flavor of the sauce.
Should I add water to the sauce?
Yes, 1 cup of water is added to the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste mixture.
What kind of cheese is used in the meatballs?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is used to flavor the meatball mixture.
How many eggs are used as a binder?
Two eggs are used in the meatball mixture to help bind the ingredients together.
How much ground meat is needed for the meatballs?
The recipe requires 1 lb of ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork for the meatballs.
Is the sauce spicy?
The sauce includes 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, providing a mild heat.
How long should I sauté the onions?
The finely chopped onions should be sautéed for approximately 4 minutes until they are translucent.
How long should I sauté the garlic in the sauce?
After the onions are translucent, add the garlic and sauté for an additional 3 minutes.
What size should the meatballs be?
You can shape the meatballs to your desired size, ranging from small to large.
Do I need to brown the spareribs before adding them?
No, the instructions indicate adding the raw cut spareribs directly to the sauce after it reaches a simmer.
What kind of oil should be used?
The recipe calls for olive oil for both frying the meatballs and sautéing the vegetables.
How much sweet Italian sausage is required?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of sweet Italian sausage.
How much spareribs are required?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of spareribs.
How often should I stir the sauce?
You should stir the sauce occasionally during the simmering process to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
What is the primary seasoning for the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper.
Can this recipe feed a large family?
Yes, with 15 ingredients and a large volume of meat and tomatoes, it is ideal for Sunday family gatherings or special occasions.
When do the meatballs go into the pot?
The browned meatballs are added to the sauce after it has already simmered for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
The tomato paste is used specifically to deepen the richness and flavor profile of the tomato base.
What is the first step in making the gravy?
The first step is preparing the meatball mixture by combining the meats, garlic, eggs, cheese, and seasoning.