Follow these steps for perfect results
ground round
Italian sausage
Italian tomatoes
tomato sauce
tomato paste
onion
chopped
green pepper
chopped
Italian seasoning
salt
garlic powder
anise seed
sugar
baking soda
Brown the ground meat or Italian sausage in a large pot or Dutch oven and drain off any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion and green pepper to the pot.
Sauté the onion and green pepper until they are tender.
Add the Italian tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste (with water), Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, anise seed, sugar, and baking soda to the pot.
Bring the sauce to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce, adding water if necessary to maintain the desired consistency, for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Serve the sauce hot over your favorite pasta. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete meal.
Expert advice for the best results
For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce after simmering.
Add a bay leaf during simmering for extra flavor.
Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.
Everything you need to know before you start
15 minutes
Can be made 1-2 days in advance.
Serve over pasta, garnished with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve with pasta
Serve with crusty bread
Serve with a side salad
A classic Italian pairing.
Discover the story behind this recipe
A staple in Italian-American cuisine.
Discover more delicious Italian Dinner recipes to expand your culinary repertoire
A classic Italian dish featuring roasted eggplant layered with mozzarella, tomato basil sauce, and Parmigiano cheese, baked to perfection.
A creamy and comforting Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti, broccoli, black olives, and a rich Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a family-friendly meal.
A delicious Italian-inspired chicken lasagna featuring layers of pasta, chicken, tomato sauce, and cheese.
A delicious Italian recipe for cannelloni stuffed with spinach and cottage cheese, served in a flavorful roasted pepper sauce.
A classic Italian dish featuring spaghetti pasta coated in a vibrant basil pesto sauce, enriched with fresh cream and walnuts.
Classic Pizza Margherita with a homemade whole wheat crust, topped with fresh mozzarella, basil, and a simple tomato sauce.
A comforting Italian pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce with roasted mushrooms and broccoli. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
A comforting Italian-inspired baked pasta dish featuring rigati pasta, roasted vegetables, a creamy tomato sauce, and a cheesy breadcrumb topping.