Sunday Sauce Recipe | Italian Tomato Sauce
Introduction
Vito’s Sunday Sauce is a slow-simmered Italian tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, basil and Italian seasoning. Inspired by the Sunday family meals Vito remembers growing up, this rich homemade sauce is made for sharing with family and friends over pasta.
Watch the Video
Watch Vito’s video to see how he prepares his traditional-style red sauce, from sautéing the garlic to slowly simmering the tomatoes and herbs.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 – 8
Course: Sauce / Main Course / Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Hard
Storage: Refrigerator / Freezer
Best For: Pasta / Lasagna / Baked Pasta / Meatballs
What Is Sunday Sauce?
Sunday sauce is a slow-cooked Italian-American tomato sauce traditionally prepared for a family meal. Different families make it in different ways, sometimes adding beef, pork or sausage. Vito’s version is a tomato-based sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and Italian seasoning.
This is especially useful because current search results commonly explain Sunday sauce as a slow-simmered Italian-American family tradition, often associated with “Sunday gravy” and sugo.
Ingredients for Sunday Sauce Recipe | Italian Tomato Sauce
Tomato Base
- San Marzano whole tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Water
Seasonings & Aromatics
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh basil
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sugar
How to Make Sunday Sauce
1. Sauté the Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over low heat. Add the diced garlic and gently cook for a few minutes without burning it.
2. Add the Tomatoes
Add the crushed San Marzano tomatoes, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
3. Add Tomato Paste and Seasonings
Stir in the tomato paste, water, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and sugar.
4. Add Fresh Basil
Add the fresh basil leaves and stir the sauce well.
5. Simmer Slowly
Cover the pot and allow the sauce to simmer gently for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Reduce the Sauce
Remove the lid and continue cooking for approximately 30 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce and develop a richer consistency.
7. Taste and Adjust
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and sugar according to your preference.
8. Serve
Serve the Sunday sauce over your favorite pasta and finish with grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Why Is It Called Sunday Sauce?
Sunday sauce gets its name from the tradition of preparing a large pot of sauce for a relaxed family meal on Sunday. The long cooking time makes it especially suited to slow weekend cooking and family gatherings.
This is also a good place to bring in Vito’s personal family story, which is one of the strongest differentiators of this recipe.
Vito’s Family Sunday Sauce Tradition
Vito’s Sunday sauce is inspired by memories of family mornings filled with the aroma of tomato sauce simmering on the stove. This recipe is a way of keeping those family traditions alive and sharing them with the next generation.
Interlink – Category page
What Is Sugo?
Sugo is an Italian word commonly used for sauce, particularly a sauce served with pasta. Depending on the recipe and region, sugo can refer to different types of sauces, including tomato-based preparations.
You can internally link Sugo to the relevant Italian Cooking Guide once that section of the website is created.
Tips for Making Sunday Sauce
- Use good-quality canned San Marzano tomatoes.
- Cook the garlic gently so it does not become bitter.
- Keep the sauce at a low simmer rather than a rapid boil.
- Stir occasionally while the sauce cooks.
- Adjust the sugar according to the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Allow the sauce to reduce uncovered during the final 30 minutes.
- Add fresh basil for a fresh herbal flavor.
- Serve with freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
How to Use Sunday Sauce
This section can help build internal links and recipe clusters.
Vito’s Sunday sauce can be used as a base for many Italian meals.
- Spaghetti with tomato sauce
- Baked ziti
- Lasagna
- Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Pasta casseroles
- Italian sausage and pasta
How to Store Sunday Sauce
Allow the sauce to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for short-term use or freeze portions for future pasta meals.
Add verified storage duration only after confirming Vito’s preferred storage method.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sunday sauce?
Sunday sauce is a slow-cooked tomato-based sauce traditionally associated with Italian-American family meals.
Is Sunday sauce the same as tomato sauce?
Sunday sauce is a type of tomato-based sauce, but recipes vary widely. Traditional Sunday sauces may contain meat, while Vito’s version is primarily tomato-based.
What tomatoes are best for Sunday sauce?
Vito’s recipe uses San Marzano whole tomatoes as the main tomato base.
How long should Sunday sauce cook?
Vito’s recipe cooks for approximately 2½ hours, including the final uncovered cooking period.
What pasta goes with Sunday sauce?
Sunday sauce can be served with spaghetti, rigatoni, penne or other pasta shapes that hold tomato sauce well.
Can Sunday sauce be made ahead?
Yes. Preparing the sauce ahead can make it convenient for family meals and allows the flavors to develop before serving.