Sauce A La Bari
Sauce A La Bari is a hearty Italian-style meat sauce with rich tomato flavors, savory sausage, and herbs, perfect for pasta lovers and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Italian olive oil ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 4 links Italian sweet sausage ⓘ
- 5 pork bones or pork spareribs ⓘ
- 1 1/4 lb ground beef ⓘ
- 1 c flavored bread crumbs
- dash garlic salt ⓘ
- dash pepper ⓘ
- 1 whole egg ⓘ
- 4 (1 lb 12 oz) cans Italian plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 medium cans tomato puree (approximately 32 oz each) ⓘ
- 2 small cans tomato paste (6 oz each)
- 1/4 c minced fresh onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c grated Romano cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 c water ⓘ
Instructions
- Simmer olive oil in a large saucepot with 2 cloves of sliced garlic and 1 tablespoon of minced onion.
- Meanwhile, brown the Italian sweet sausage links and pork bones or spareribs on both sides.
- Pour all cans of Italian plum tomatoes, tomato puree, and tomato paste into the large pot with the garlic and onion.
- Add 1 cup of water and a dash of sugar to the tomato sauce.
- Add the browned sausage and pork to the sauce.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and cook until flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine while simmering the sauce. If you prefer a leaner option, substitute ground turkey for ground beef. You can also use fresh herbs like basil or oregano instead of dried spices for enhanced aroma. To save time, use pre-cooked sausage or even vegetables for a meatless version, making it a versatile base for Italian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty sauce over your favorite pasta, like spaghetti or penne, for a satisfying meal. It also pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping. Consider a side salad or roasted vegetables to complement the richness. For a twist, try it with polenta or in a layered dish like Mostaccioli Bake for a family-friendly option.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if it’s too thick. Stir occasionally until heated through for best results.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sauce A La Bari contains roughly 524 calories, with 23g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (142% of the Daily Value), iron (105% of the Daily Value), and potassium (63% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 530mg per serving (23% 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 in advance?
Absolutely! This sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop. Prepare it a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before serving, and it will be ready to delight your taste buds.
What can I use instead of pork bones?
If you don’t have pork bones, you can substitute with beef bones for a different flavor profile or simply use more ground beef. For a vegetarian option, opt for a mix of hearty vegetables like mushrooms and eggplant to create depth in the sauce.
How spicy is this sauce?
This recipe is not inherently spicy, but you can easily adjust the heat level. If you enjoy a kick, add red pepper flakes while simmering or include spicy Italian sausage. Taste as you go to ensure it meets your preference.
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).