All-Purpose Italian Sauce
A hearty Italian-inspired sauce packed with tomatoes, sausage, and herbs, perfect for pasta or savoring on its own for a flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chuck ⓘ
- 1 bell or poblano pepper
- 1 large onion
- 15 oz can stewed tomatoes
- 6 oz can tomato paste ⓘ
- 3 oz vermouth ⓘ
- 1/2 lb Jimmy Dean sage sausage ⓘ
- 3 stalks celery ⓘ
- 15 oz can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 2 large cans tomatoes ⓘ
- 15 oz large can tomato sauce or puree ⓘ
- 1 can large can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 large onion ⓘ
- 1 green pepper ⓘ
- 4 to 5 garlic cloves ⓘ
- garlic powder ⓘ
- oregano ⓘ
- Italian seasoning ⓘ
- celery seed ⓘ
- parsley ⓘ
- Italian seasoning (+) ⓘ
- cumin (-) ⓘ
- thyme (-) ⓘ
- roast beef seasoning (-) ⓘ
- rosemary (-) ⓘ
- celery seed (m) ⓘ
- sage (-) ⓘ
- parsley (m)
- dry mustard (-)
- gumbo file (-) ⓘ
- Creole seasoning (-) ⓘ
- coriander (-) ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot or saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for approximately one hour, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the ground chuck and sausage before adding other ingredients. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the meats with lentils or mushrooms. Fresh herbs can be replaced with dried; just use a smaller amount. If fresh garlic isn't available, garlic powder can be used, but start with a smaller quantity. This sauce is perfect for dishes like Short Cut Lasagna or One-Pot Spaghetti Supper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this versatile Italian sauce over pasta, or use it as a base for dishes like Italian Bean And Sausage Soup. It pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal. For a comforting twist, try it as a topping for baked potatoes or as a filling in stuffed peppers. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a lovely finishing touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers, where it can last for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much during storage.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of All-Purpose Italian Sauce contains roughly 706 calories, with 32g protein, 115g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (238% of the Daily Value), iron (197% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (128% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 889mg per serving (39% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely! If using fresh tomatoes, you'll need about 3-4 pounds, peeled and diced. They may require longer cooking to break down into a sauce. A mix of different varieties, like Roma and beefsteak, can enhance the flavor.
How can I adjust the spice level of the sauce?
To increase the heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño. For a milder sauce, reduce the amount of black pepper and skip any spicy seasonings. Always taste and adjust as you go to find your perfect balance.
What can I do if my sauce is too acidic?
If the sauce tastes too acidic, try stirring in a teaspoon of sugar or honey to balance the flavors. You can also add a bit of grated carrot, which naturally sweetens the sauce, or a splash of cream for a richer texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).