Best 7 Authentic Italian Red Sauce Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the heart of Italy, where culinary traditions have been passed down through generations, the authentic Italian red sauce, also known as "sugo rosso," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of Italian cuisine. It is a versatile sauce that forms the foundation of many classic Italian dishes, from pasta to pizza and beyond. This savory and flavorful sauce is the result of carefully selected ingredients, traditional techniques, and a passion for creating a culinary delight. Join us on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind crafting the perfect authentic Italian red sauce, using fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a touch of patience, creating a taste that will transport you to the heart of Italy.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN RED SAUCE



Traditional Italian Red Sauce image

I've been hitting the sauce a lot lately. Okay, first off, this isn't your basic tomato sauce that's spooned over pasta in every major Italian restaurant chain in the United States. And it isn't that tomato sauce that you whip up in 30 minutes on your stovetop, although that can be quite tasty. This is the sauce from...

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 6h25m

Number Of Ingredients 13

56 oz (2-28 ounce cans) whole peeled tomatoes, like cento
1/4 c olive oil, extra virgin
2 Tbsp sweet butter, unsalted
4 clove fresh garlic, minced (3/4 ounce)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp oregano, dried
1 medium carrot, rough cut (4-5 ounces)
1/2 medium yellow onion, rough cut (4-5 ounces)
4 fresh basil leaves, including the stem
salt, kosher variety, to taste
black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
1/4 c fresh italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tsp fish sauce (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. Gather your ingredients.
  • 2. Introduce the tomatoes (including the juice) to a large bowl.
  • 3. Crush the tomatoes up using your hands.
  • 4. Chef's Tip: Use your hands... It's therapeutic.
  • 5. Take about three cups of the tomatoes, and reserve.
  • 6. Prep the remaining ingredients, and have them on hand.
  • 7. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil.
  • 8. When the butter has melted and the foaming subsides, add the garlic.
  • 9. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic begins to color, about 1 minute.
  • 10. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, and the oregano.
  • 11. Cook an addition minute, or until fragrant.
  • 12. Chef's Tip: Okay, here's the deal. I want the garlic to cook for about two minutes; however, if I wait to add the other spices until the garlic begins to brown... The result will be burned garlic. So, we're adding the other ingredients a bit early for the garlic. But, understand, that the garlic will color, and then brown, and then burn very quickly. Therefore, keep an eye on your pot, and watch the heat.
  • 13. Add the tomatoes, and combine.
  • 14. Add the chopped carrot, onion, and basil.
  • 15. Stir to combine.
  • 16. Place a rack in the lower position, and preheat oven to 265f (130c).
  • 17. Chefs's Tip: Bring the sauce up to a boil, and then quickly return to a simmer. This technique works well with many sauces; however, don't try it if the sauce has a milk, or heavy cream.
  • 18. As the sauce is simmering add a bit of salt, and pepper.
  • 19. Chef's Tip: Since this sauce is going to reduce, you don't want to add too much salt at this stage of the game.
  • 20. Cover the pot, with lid slightly askew, and place into the preheated oven.
  • 21. Allow to cook in the oven; giving it a quick stir every hour.
  • 22. After about 5 or 6 hours it should be reduced by half, and have a nice deep red coloring.
  • 23. Chef's Note: The time depends on the calibration of your oven. Ovens can be off by 20 or more degrees (I hate it when that happens). I have my ovens calibrated every year. This is what you should do: When you open the oven every hour to give it a quick stir, if it looks like it's cooking too fast... lower the temperature. Aunt Josephine baked this at 300f (150c), and it took a bit over 5 hours. I would rather turn the temp down a bit, and have the sauce take a bit more time, than stick to an arbitrary temperature and let it burn. Use your chef's intuition... May the force be with you.
  • 24. Remove from the oven, and then discard the carrots, onions, and basil.
  • 25. Chef's Tip: Best way to do this is to go fishing with a pair of tongs.
  • 26. Add the reserved tomatoes to the pot, and stir to combine.
  • 27. Add the fish sauce (optional), and stir.
  • 28. Add the parsley, and stir to combine.
  • 29. Chef's Tip: Season again (if needed) with salt and pepper.
  • 30. Serve over your favorite pasta dishes, or use as a sauce for a meatball sub. Enjoy.
  • 31. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

DEFALCO'S AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE



DeFalco's Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Guy Fieri

Time 3h20m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
3 to 4 fresh Italian sausages, casings removed
One 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
One 28-ounce can tomato puree
One 28-ounce can tomato sauce
One 8-ounce can tomato paste
1 cup fresh basil, roughly torn
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup marsala wine
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, sausages and onions and cook until lightly brown.
  • Add the crushed San Marzano tomatoes and 1/2 can water, bring to a simmer. Add the tomato puree, 1/2 can of water and simmer again. Repeat with the tomato sauce, again adding 1/2 can of water and bring the sauce to a simmer. Add the tomato paste and cook through.
  • Add the basil, parsley, marsala wine, pepper, salt and sugar into the pot and stir. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring frequently.

HOMEMADE ITALIAN RED SAUCE



Homemade Italian Red Sauce image

You will love my Italian-style sauce. You can add meatballs to this sauce; it comes out really good.

Provided by Ignazia Vella

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 2h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

½ cup olive oil
1 large onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups water
2 (32 ounce) cans crushed diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can tomato paste
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon white sugar
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low. Add water, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, baking soda, and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Stir mixture, bring to a simmer, and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 149.4 calories, Carbohydrate 13.9 g, Fat 9.2 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 643.9 mg, Sugar 9.2 g

SUGO DI POMODORO (AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE)



Sugo di Pomodoro (Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce) image

This is a basic recipe for authentic Italian tomato sauce flavored with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and basil. Toss with your favorite pasta or use for pizza, gnocchi and more.

Provided by SilviaG

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, halved
2 (14 ounce) cans passata (crushed tomatoes)
¼ cup fresh basil, torn in half
salt to taste

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a saucepan over low heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add passata, basil, and salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tomato sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove garlic halves before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152 calories, Carbohydrate 20.8 g, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 4.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 303.6 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE



Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce image

This is a recipe I got from my father who got it from a little old lady he knew from Italy. I always simmer this sauce with my meatballs (recipe posted). You can also add sausage if you like. This sauce is to die for!!!!

Provided by InMemoryofBrats

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h20m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 (28 ounce) cans tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can peeled plum tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion, diced
6 cloves
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup grated cheese

Steps:

  • In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
  • Empty plum tomatoes into large bowl and squash with your hands.
  • Add all ingredients (including any meatballs or sausage you want to add) to pot and simmer for 3 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145.4, Fat 6.6, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 1.8, Sodium 308.8, Carbohydrate 21, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 12.6, Protein 4

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Authentic Italian Pasta Sauce image

Beings as I am part Italian.... Italian pasta sauce is a must have staple in our pantry. We grow plum riped tomatoes in our garden every year, & I make several quarts of sauce to keep us well stocked through the year! Not everyone likes to take the time to prepare fresh roma tomatoes for sauce, so whole canned tomatoes will do...

Provided by Megan Todd

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 5h

Number Of Ingredients 24

2 lb ground beef (optional)
2 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 c red wine
48 oz tomatoes, canned whole
32 oz tomato sauce, italian seasoned
32 oz tomato puree
12 oz tomato paste
4 clove whole garlic, minced
1/4 c chopped, fresh parsley
1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp chopped, fresh oregano
1/4 Tbsp thyme, leaves chopped
2 Tbsp brown sugar, firmly packed
3 bay leaves, dried
1 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg
3/4 c balsamic vinegar
1 c parmigiano-reggiano, grated
1 Tbsp chili pepper flakes (optional)
salt & pepper to taste

Steps:

  • 1. I suggest. A large stock pot or sauce pan to make sauce in. You can also use meatballs in place of ground beef. This recipe can be altered to your tastes. I have a vegetarian, so I do not prepare my sauce with meat always. Also if I'm going to can, I omit the meat.
  • 2. Prepare all vegetables. I use a food processor to save time. You want veggies finely chopped to cook into & soak into sauce and create a seasoned flavor in the sauce.
  • 3. Heat oil in stock pan over medium heat. Add meat if using, and finely chopped vegetables. Saute until meat is browned, or for 3 minutes, until onions are transparent. Be careful not to burn garlic. Drain grease off and add red wine. Add whole tomatoes to pan and break up with wooden spoon while cooking. Add brown sugar, tomato sauce, tomato puree, spices.... simmer until sauce is hot. Add tomato paste (heat helps to cook paste into sauce).... add additional seasons to taste. Allow to cook on low for 2-4 hours, stirring frequently.
  • 4. When sauce is done, & when ready to serve, remove from heat & add balsamic vinegar, & parmesan-reganno cheese, stir into sauce. Serve over prepared warm pasta, over your favorite Italian dish (chicken parm, eggplant parm, use in lasagna, etc) If canning, can as directed per canning jars while sauce is hot. If freezing, allow sauce to cool to room temp, place in freezer friendly dish & store in freezer for up to 3 months. I hope you enjoy this sauce as much as we do!

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN AMERICAN MARINARA SAUCE/ RED GRAVY



Authentic Italian American Marinara Sauce/ Red Gravy image

If you are Italian, or were lucky enough to grow up with some, this is the red sauce that you knew. you may have called it "gravy", or "red sauce". whatever you called it, you loved it. it is a marinara sauce, and look for my meatball recipe, as this is what you should be cooking them in.

Provided by An Italian Jew

Categories     Sauces

Time 4h20m

Yield 46 CUPS, 46 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

10 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, use ones from Italy if you can, but any will really do as all crushed tomatoes are canned when the t
1 large white onion
1/2 head garlic
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/16 cup salt
1/16 cup pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup dried oregano
8 bay leaves, dried

Steps:

  • Rough chop onion and garlic.
  • Heat up a large pan on medium heat.
  • Pour in all of olive oil.
  • Dump in onion and sauté until soft.
  • Add garlic, bay leaf, oregano, salt and pepper.
  • Stir all together into a mess and continue to cook, if it seems to hot, turn down the heat, you don't want to burn anything.
  • Once everything is well mixed and cooked, turn up the heat for about 1 minute. I tell you to do this as you are about to add the balsamic vinegar to "deglaze" and you will want the pan hot.
  • Add balsamic, stir quickly while hot steam rises. the vapors should make you eyes water, and nose run, so be careful to remain hygienic. when vapors stop remove from heat.
  • Open all the cans of crushed tomato.
  • Stir in one can at a time with wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
  • Once all cans are in, stir well again so you don't see any oil on the top of sauce. return to heat. Cook on low heat uncovered, stirring whenever you walk into the kitchen for some other reason. You don't need to stir it every hour, but do it whenever you get around to it. although you do need to stir it from time to time.
  • Cook for at least five hours. If you want to do this while you go to work, you can transfer everything to a crock pot, but you must start in a big metal pot. Your choice.
  • Serve over your favorite pasta, or use to cook my meatball recipe, which is highly recommended ( look at the reviews). doing my meatballs is particularly easy if you have transferred gravy to a crock pot, but if you do you may need to remove some sauce to fit the balls in the sauce.
  • Freeze left over sauce, just pour cooled sauce in zip-lock bags and throw in freezer.

Tips:

  • Use ripe, fresh tomatoes: The key to a flavorful red sauce is using ripe, juicy tomatoes. If you can, use tomatoes from your garden or a local farmer's market. If you're using canned tomatoes, choose whole peeled tomatoes or crushed tomatoes that are packed in tomato juice, not water.
  • Sauté your vegetables: Sautéing your vegetables in olive oil before adding the tomatoes will help to develop their flavor and add depth to the sauce.
  • Use a variety of herbs and spices: Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme are a must for any red sauce. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes: The longer you simmer the sauce, the more flavorful it will become. So don't be afraid to let it bubble away on the stove for an hour or two.
  • Taste the sauce as you go: Be sure to taste the sauce as you're cooking it and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs to get the perfect flavor.

Conclusion:

With these tips in mind, you can easily make a delicious and authentic Italian red sauce at home. This sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, or any other Italian dish. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics