Slovenian Italian Pasta Sauce
A hearty Slovenian-Italian pasta sauce with savory sausage, chicken liver, rich tomato flavors, and a hint of spice, perfect for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. Italian sausage ⓘ
- 1 (25 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper (optional) ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 4 medium onions, chopped fine ⓘ
- 2 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 lb. chicken liver, chopped very fine ⓘ
- 1 can mushrooms or 12 oz. fresh (optional) ⓘ
- 6 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 c. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- red hot pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat a 5-quart saucepan over medium heat.
- Add olive oil to the hot pan.
- Add Italian sausage cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and cook until browned.
- Push the sausage to one side of the pan.
- Add chopped chicken liver and cook a few minutes until very fine and browned.
- Mix the liver with the sausage.
- Push the mixture to one side of the pan and sauté the chopped onions until transparent.
- Mix all ingredients together in the pan.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add enough water to achieve a thick sauce consistency.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then add grated Parmesan cheese and mushrooms.
- Simmer the sauce for 2 to 3 hours, stirring often.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding some red wine while cooking the sausage. If you want a vegetarian option, substitute the sausage with plant-based sausage and omit the chicken liver. You can also use diced zucchini or spinach in place of mushrooms. Adjust the red hot pepper to your heat preference, and feel free to add herbs like oregano or basil for an extra layer of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty sauce over your favorite pasta for a satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with Chicken Marinara or Fresh Broccoli Pasta. Consider adding a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete dinner. For an elegant touch, sprinkle extra grated Parmesan on top before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if it becomes too thick. Stir frequently to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Slovenian Italian Pasta Sauce contains roughly 683 calories, with 16g protein, 73g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (152% of the Daily Value), vitamin D (66% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (42% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1326mg per serving (58% 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 a different type of meat for this sauce?
Yes, you can substitute the Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or a plant-based alternative. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To add more heat, consider increasing the amount of red hot pepper or adding crushed red pepper flakes. You could also add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce while cooking to achieve your desired spice level.
Is it possible to make this sauce in advance?
Absolutely! This sauce actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just prepare it as directed, allow it to cool, and store it in the fridge. Reheat it gently on the stove when you're ready to serve.
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).