Sicilian Savory Simmered Pasta Sauce
This rich and flavorful Sicilian pasta sauce is a cherished family recipe, handed down through generations with my own delicious twists. Utilizing high-quality canned tomato products, this recipe simplifies your cooking process while delivering authentic Italian taste. The combination of fragrant sautéed onions and garlic, paired with the aromatic blend of spices, creates a robust sauce that's perfect for any pasta dish. This large batch is designed for convenience, allowing you to make plenty to freeze for future meals. Customize with your choice of meats or keep it vegetarian for a lighter option. For the best results, allow the sauce to rest overnight in the fridge—it truly enhances the flavors, though it's delicious right away too!
N/A
Servings
144
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/4 cup (None)
diced onion (fresh or frozen)
2/3 cup (None)
minced garlic
1 teaspoon (Mince)
Campbell's tomato juice
2 (46 ounce) bottles (None)
Campbell's tomato soup
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans (None)
tomato paste
12 ounces (None)
strained tomatoes (Pomi)
1 (26 1/2 ounce) carton (None)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (None)
dried basil (or fresh chopped)
1 teaspoon (or 1 tablespoon fresh) (Dried or fresh)
sugar
1/3 cup (None)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (None)
Italian sausage or beef stew meat
2 lbs (Brown in separate pan)
Instructions
1
In a large sauce pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add the diced onions and cook until they become translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Lower the heat and add the minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to let it burn.
4
Stir in the tomato juice, tomato soup, tomato paste, strained tomatoes, black pepper, basil, and sugar, mixing well to combine.
5
Carefully add the baking soda, as it will cause the mixture to foam. Stir gently until the foam subsides and is well incorporated.
6
Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
In a separate skillet, brown the Italian sausage or beef stew meat over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
8
Add the browned meat to the simmering sauce and continue to cook for an additional 2 hours, letting the flavors meld together.
9
Serve the sauce hot over your choice of high-quality pasta. For a deeper flavor, refrigerate the sauce overnight before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.6g
Fat
18.2g
Carbs
4.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sicilian Savory Simmered Pasta Sauce?
It is a rich and flavorful family recipe passed down through generations, featuring a robust blend of high-quality canned tomato products, aromatic spices, and meat.
Can I make this sauce vegetarian?
Yes, you can customize the recipe by omitting the meat to keep it vegetarian for a lighter option.
Why is baking soda added to the sauce?
Baking soda is added to the mixture to balance acidity; it will cause the sauce to foam temporarily, so it should be stirred gently until the foam subsides.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
After adding the browned meat, the sauce should simmer on low heat for an additional 2 hours to let the flavors meld together.
Should I prepare the meat in the same pot as the sauce?
No, the meat should be browned in a separate skillet and drained of excess fat before being added to the simmering sauce.
Can I freeze this pasta sauce?
Yes, this recipe is designed as a large batch specifically so that you can freeze plenty for future meals.
Is it better to serve the sauce immediately or wait?
While it is delicious right away, refrigerating the sauce overnight truly enhances and deepens the flavors.
What kind of meat is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 2 lbs of either Italian sausage or beef stew meat.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 144 calories per serving.
What type of tomato juice should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for two 46-ounce bottles of Campbell's tomato juice.
Can I use fresh basil instead of dried?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried basil with 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped basil.
What is the fat content of this sauce?
The sauce contains 3.6g of fat per serving.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of sugar to help balance the flavor profile.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Lower the heat before adding the minced garlic and cook it for only 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
How many grams of protein are in each serving?
There are 4.4g of protein per serving.
What type of onions should I use?
You can use 2/3 cup of either fresh or frozen diced onions.
What brand of strained tomatoes is recommended?
The recipe suggests using one 26.5-ounce carton of Pomi strained tomatoes.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil for sautéing the onions and garlic.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
There are 18.2g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many cans of tomato soup are needed?
The recipe requires two 10.75-ounce cans of Campbell's tomato soup.
What is the first step in making this sauce?
The first step is to heat olive oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat and sauté the onions until translucent.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of tomato paste.
What size batch does this recipe make?
This is a large batch recipe designed for convenience and meal prep.
Are there any specific spices used?
The main spices used are black pepper and dried or fresh basil.
How much baking soda is added?
One teaspoon of baking soda is added to the sauce.
How long should I sauté the onions?
The onions should be cooked for about 5-7 minutes until they are translucent.
Is this an authentic Italian recipe?
Yes, it is described as a cherished Sicilian family recipe handed down through generations.
What pasta is recommended?
The recipe suggests serving the sauce over any high-quality pasta of your choice.
How much black pepper is included?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is there a lot of fiber in this dish?
The nutritional data provided lists fiber as null, so it is not specifically measured.