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Sunday Sauce with Meatballs, Ribs, and Sausage Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 126 reviews

This classic Italian-American Sunday Sauce recipe features tender meatballs, succulent pork ribs, and sweet Italian sausage simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce infused with fresh garlic, onion, and basil. Perfect for a comforting family meal, the slow-simmered sauce melds flavors beautifully, offering a hearty and delicious pasta topping or main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 slices Pullman or Italian bread, torn into small pieces (about 1 cup)
  • 1 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 lb (80% lean) ground beef

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 lb pork spare ribs or baby back ribs, cut into individual ribs
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1 lb sweet Italian pork sausage
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 12 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (28-oz) can tomato puree
  • 3 small bunches fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined. Add the torn bread pieces, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Toss all ingredients lightly to distribute evenly. Gently fold in the ground beef using your hands or a spatula until the mixture is combined but not overworked.
  2. Form the Meatballs: Scoop about 2 heaping tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll into meatballs, shaping to about 9 meatballs total. Place the formed meatballs on a parchment-lined sheet tray, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to add to the sauce.
  3. Brown the Ribs: Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot set over medium-high heat. Season the pork ribs with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add the ribs to the pot and cook, turning halfway, until they are golden brown on all sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the ribs and set aside on a plate.
  4. Cook the Sausage: In the same pot, add the sweet Italian pork sausage. Cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally and breaking the sausage into large chunks with a wooden spoon, until browned on all sides, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the sausage to the plate with the ribs.
  5. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Using the same pot, add the finely chopped yellow onion and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and softened, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Add Tomato Products and Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato puree. Rinse each can with water and add the water to the pot to incorporate all tomato remnants. Return the browned ribs and sausage to the pot. Add the fresh basil bunches and bring the sauce to a simmer. Partially cover the pot with a lid and cook over medium-low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  7. Cook the Meatballs in Sauce: Nestle the prepared meatballs gently into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking uncovered over medium heat until the meatballs are no longer pink inside and are cooked through, about 30 minutes. It’s fine if small bits break off into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed before serving.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use fresh high-quality Italian sausage and fresh basil.
  • Be careful not to overwork the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
  • Partially covering the pot during simmering helps control evaporation and concentrate flavors.
  • Leftover sauce thickens and tastes even better the next day.
  • Serve over your favorite pasta or polenta for a classic meal.

Keywords: Sunday Sauce, Italian Sunday Sauce, Meatballs, Pork Ribs, Italian Sausage, Tomato Sauce, Slow Simmered Sauce

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/sunday-sauce-with-meatballs-ribs-and-sausage-recipe/