Italian Sauce La Roma
Rich and savory Italian sausage sauce with tomatoes and herbs, perfect for pasta lovers seeking a hearty, flavorful meal with authentic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 lb. Italian sausage, crumbled
- 3/4 cup finely chopped onion ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb. 12 oz.) can peeled tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 2 cups water ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 Knorr beef bouillon cube ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy saucepan over moderately high heat (275°).
- Add Italian sausage and cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add chopped onion and garlic; cook until tender.
- Reduce heat to moderately low (225°).
- Add peeled tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, water, bay leaves, beef bouillon cube, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook for two hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add additional water if sauce becomes too thick.
- Discard bay leaf. Serve the Italian Sauce La Roma.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider browning the sausage a bit longer before adding the onions and garlic. If you don't have Italian sausage, ground beef or turkey can be used instead. Fresh herbs can elevate the sauce, so feel free to substitute dried oregano and basil with fresh if available. This sauce pairs well with various Italian recipes, such as pasta dishes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Italian Sauce La Roma over your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for dishes like Mom's Famous Lasagna. It also works wonderfully as a topping for garlic bread or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks. Pair it with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Italian Sauce La Roma in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the sauce on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if it has thickened. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian Sauce La Roma contains roughly 301 calories, with 7g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (49% of the Daily Value), iron (41% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2100mg per serving (91% 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 make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, this sauce can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better after sitting for a day as the flavors meld. Just store it in the fridge and reheat before serving. It's perfect for meal prep or for a busy weeknight dinner.
How can I make this sauce vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version of this sauce, substitute the Italian sausage with a plant-based sausage or mushrooms for a hearty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of beef bouillon and adjust the seasoning to taste. You can still achieve a rich flavor profile that everyone will enjoy.
What can I do with leftover sauce?
Leftover Italian Sauce La Roma can be used in various ways. It’s great as a topping for pizzas, stirred into risottos, or served with baked potatoes. You can also freeze it for later use; just thaw and reheat when needed for a quick meal.
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).