AUTHENTIC ITALIAN SUNDAY GRAVY (NANA'S MEAT SAUCE)

Authentic Italian Sunday Gravy (Nana's Meat Sauce) image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 13

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2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 lb. pork spareribs
1 lb. beef stew meat
1 lb. Italian sausage ( spicy or mild, based on personal preference)
6 cloves garlic (peeled and left whole)
¼ cup tomato paste
3 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
8 leaves fresh basil (torn into small pieces)
Salt and Pepper (to taste )
1 Tablespoon sugar (more or less based on the flavor of your tomatoes)
Parmesan (shaved, for topping)
Pasta

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.
Pat the pork dry and put the pieces in the pot.
Cook turning occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until nicely browned on all sides.
Transfer pork to a plate.
Brown the beef in the same way and add it to the plate.
Place the sausages in the pot and brown on all sides.
Set the sausages aside with the pork and beef.
Drain off most of the fat from the pot.
Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until golden.
Remove and discard the garlic.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes to the pot.
Add the water; season with a pinch salt and pepper.
Return the pork, beef, and sausages to the pot and bring sauce to a simmer.
Partially cover the pot and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least 2 hours.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water.
At the end, add sugar, to taste, and adjust your seasonings one more time with salt and pepper. Add basil leaves and serve over your favorite pasta, topped with shaved Parmesan.