Homemade Italian Red Sauce

This recipe is our family favorite, it’s a dish we often make to celebrate my grandmother and her memory. When she was 8, my grandmother and her family emigrated to the United States from Tuscany region of Italy. There’s always a feeling of nostalgia when making this recipe, the scent reminds me of my grandmother’s sauce simmering on the stove all day. And now, we celebrate her and her memory through the meals she once prepared for us.

This sauce is easy to start and tastes best when it has several hours to simmer. I’m sure this recipe will soon become a favorite with your family while it leaves your home with the most enticing aroma, full of warmth and comfort.

What You’ll Need

2 tbsp olive oil
1 package of GRFC pork neck bones
1 package of beef shanks. 
2 small yellow onion
4 garlic cloves/2 tbsp minced
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
basil, parsley, salt & pepper

The Recipe

Heat a drizzle of olive oil on a pot or dutch oven

Brown the meat and sear it on both sides for 3 minutes. Take the meat out of the pot and set aside. Don’t dry the pan.

In the same pot or dutch oven, add onions and cook about five minutes or until translucent. Add garlic cloves until aromatic.

Add 1 can of crushed tomatoes (I prefer San Marzano), and fill it with water to add back to the pot and repeat with a can of tomato paste.

Add a generous amount of salt, pepper and dried basil and parsley. Stir everything while making sure to scrape up any of the browned bits on the bottom of the pot.

Put the meat back in the pot and cook on low for at least 3 hours, but more if possible. I aim for around 6 hours.

Add salt and pepper to taste and serve over hot pasta with grated Romano cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy!