Sunday Tuscan Gravy
Jason BazinetShare
A Slow-Simmered Family Recipe Worth the Wait
Some meals are about convenience.
This isn't one of them.
Our Sunday Tuscan Gravy starts with a traditional soffritto of onion, carrot, celery, and garlic before slowly simmering for hours with tomatoes, red wine, fresh herbs, and Tuscan Treasure Italian Seasoning.
The result is a rich, comforting sauce that fills the house with incredible aromas all afternoon and brings everyone to the table when dinner is ready.
Whether served over pasta, alongside meatballs, or simply with a loaf of crusty bread, this is the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary Sunday into a family tradition.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Rich, slow-simmered flavor
- Built on simple ingredients
- Perfect for Sunday family dinners
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
- Tastes even better the next day
Ingredients
For the Soffritto
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4–6 garlic cloves, minced
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp Tuscan Treasure Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 8–10 fresh basil leaves, torn
- 4–6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1–2 tsp sugar (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Step 1: Build the Soffritto
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat.
Add the onion, carrot, and celery.
Cook slowly for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and begin to turn lightly golden.
Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
This simple mixture, known as soffritto, creates the flavor foundation of the entire sauce.
Step 2: Layer the Flavor
Add the Tuscan Treasure Italian Seasoning and tomato paste.
Stir continuously for 1–2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly and deepen in flavor.
Pour in the red wine and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Allow the wine to simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Tomatoes & Herbs
Stir in:
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Fresh basil
- Fresh thyme
Mix well.
Taste and add sugar if needed to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Step 4: Let Time Do the Work
Reduce heat to low.
Partially cover the pot and simmer gently for 4–6 hours.
Stir occasionally throughout the day.
As the sauce cooks, the vegetables melt into the tomatoes, the herbs soften, and the flavors become deeper, richer, and more complex.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water.
Step 5: Finish & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve over your favorite pasta and finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Serving Ideas
This gravy is perfect with:
- Spaghetti
- Rigatoni
- Meatballs
- Italian sausage
- Chicken Parmesan
- Lasagna
- Crusty Italian bread
Alchemist's Tip
Want to make it even heartier?
Brown Italian sausage, meatballs, or pork ribs before starting the soffritto and allow them to simmer in the sauce all afternoon.
The meat slowly flavors the gravy while staying tender and juicy.
Make It Ahead
Like many great sauces, Sunday gravy is often even better the next day.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for future meals.
Shop The Blends
Tuscan Treasure was created to bring classic Italian flavor to everyday cooking. Whether you're making a quick weeknight pasta or an all-day Sunday gravy, one purpose-built blend helps make homemade meals extraordinary.