This homemade Chunky Red Sauce with Ground Italian Sausage is a flavorful and hearty sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta or as a base for other dishes. Made with fresh ingredients and aromatic spices, this sauce will become a favorite in your kitchen. The addition of ground Italian sausage adds richness and depth of flavor, making it an incredibly satisfying meal. Serve with your favorite pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese for a truly comforting and delicious experience.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Cooked pasta (of your choice)
Directions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Add the diced onion to the pan and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the pan. Stir well to combine.
- Add the dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
- Once the sauce has simmered and the flavors have melded together, remove from heat.
- Serve the sauce over the cooked pasta, garnished with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
Interesting Facts
Chunky red sauce with ground Italian sausage is a classic Italian-style sauce, often served with pasta dishes.
You can customize the spiciness of the sauce by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future use.
The addition of ground Italian sausage adds richness and an extra layer of flavor to the sauce.