Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage is an iconic, slow-cooked Italian-American dish that’s perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or any day when you crave a hearty and comforting meal. This sauce is rich, thick, and deeply flavorful, with tender meatballs and savory Italian sausage simmered together for hours to achieve a harmony of flavors. Serve it over pasta for a classic meal that feels like it’s straight from an Italian kitchen.
Why Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage Works
Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage works because the combination of slow-cooked tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and juicy meatballs and sausages creates a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. The long simmering time lets all the ingredients meld together, creating a sauce that’s thick, flavorful, and rich. Baking the meatballs and sausage first ensures they hold their shape and adds a layer of flavor before they are added to the sauce. This method also makes it easy to prepare a large batch of sauce for freezing, so you can enjoy it later.
What You’ll Need for Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage
To make Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Sauce:
Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps cook the onions.
Large Onions: Provides a sweet, savory base for the sauce.
Garlic: Adds depth and an aromatic quality.
Crushed Tomatoes: The main base of the sauce, offering a rich, thick tomato flavor.
Dried Oregano: Adds earthy flavor to the sauce.
Fresh Basil: Adds brightness and a hint of sweetness.
For the Meatballs:
Eggs: Help bind the meatballs together.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds flavor and a slight saltiness to the meatballs.
Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and adds flavor.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal note to the meatballs.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out the flavors.
Ground Beef: The base for the meatballs, providing a hearty texture.
For the Sausage:
Italian Sausage Links: Use hot, mild, or sweet Italian sausage, depending on your preference.
How to Make Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage
- Prepare the Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the diced onions and cook until they become tender and golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stirring in the dried oregano.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, partially cover the pot to allow some steam to escape, and let it cook while you prepare the meatballs and sausage.
- Prepare the Meatballs and Sausage:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Add the ground beef and mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, about 1½ to 2 inches in diameter.
Arrange the meatballs on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Place the sausage links around the meatballs on the same baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs and sausage in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
- Simmer the Sauce:
Using tongs, transfer the baked meatballs to the simmering sauce.
If desired, cut the sausage links in half before adding them to the sauce.
Continue to simmer the sauce with the meatballs and sausage on low heat for an additional 2-3 hours, keeping the lid slightly ajar to prevent the sauce from boiling over.
Stir the sauce occasionally to avoid any sticking.
Add the fresh basil near the end of cooking for a fresh, aromatic finish.
- Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the sauce, meatballs, and sausage over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne.
Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Tips + Tricks & More for Recipe Success
Don’t Rush the Sauce: The long simmering time is key to achieving a deep, complex flavor, so be patient and let it cook low and slow.
Use Quality Ingredients: Fresh basil, high-quality canned tomatoes, and good olive oil can make a noticeable difference in the taste of the sauce.
Bake the Meatballs and Sausage: This step helps remove excess fat and allows the meat to develop a richer flavor before it’s added to the sauce.
Keep the Lid Slightly Ajar: This allows some of the liquid to evaporate, thickening the sauce without making it too watery.
Freeze Leftovers: This sauce freezes well, so make a big batch and freeze in portions for easy future meals.
How to Serve Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage
Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage is best served over a bed of pasta. Ladle the sauce generously over cooked spaghetti or rigatoni and top with meatballs and sausage links. This dish is also fantastic with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete Italian-inspired meal.
Serving Suggestions
Over Pasta: Serve with your favorite pasta for a comforting, filling meal.
With Garlic Bread: A slice of crusty garlic bread on the side is perfect for soaking up the rich sauce.
With a Salad: A simple green salad with vinaigrette complements the richness of the sauce.
Family-Style: Serve this dish in a large bowl, with meatballs, sausage, and sauce on top of pasta for a true family-style experience.
Timing Information
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 3-4 hours
Total Time: About 4 hours
This Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausage is worth every minute of preparation and slow cooking. The result is a deeply flavorful, satisfying sauce that brings family and friends together around the table. Enjoy the classic, comforting taste of this homemade Italian dish!