Sundays have always carried a special kind of rhythm. A time to rest. A time to refocus. A time to savor what really matters. Let’s lean into Sundays this fall, y’all!
The Comfort of Family & Faith
There’s something about Sundays in the fall that make me want to slow down. Maybe it’s coming home from church to a quiet house. Maybe it’s gathering family and friends around the table, (though, full disclosure, my family members are more likely to eat out on a Sunday because it’s easier).
Scripture reminds us: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46). Sharing food isn’t just about filling our bellies—it’s about filling our hearts. And no matter where you eat, it’s fun to spend time with friends and family around the table.
Aunt Rosa’s Famous Gravy
In my Weddings by Bella series, Aunt Rosa is never far from her stove on a Sunday afternoon. Her Italian Sunday Gravy is a symbol of family, tradition, and faith in action. You can almost smell the tomatoes, garlic, and herbs as the sauce simmers slowly—warm and comforting, just like Aunt Rosa herself.
That’s what inspired me to bring her dish to life in my kitchen and share it with you.
What Makes It Special?
- It’s slow food. The kind you can’t rush, just like relationships and family moments.
- It’s cozy food. Perfect for a fall Sunday when the world outside feels crisp and cool.
- It’s shared food. This recipe makes enough for a crowd, because love multiplies at the table.
Aunt Rosa’s Italian Sunday Gravy Recipe
Traditional Sunday Gravy
This traditional Italian-American Sunday Gravy is a rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce made with ground beef and sausage links. Perfect over pasta, it’s hearty, flavorful, and tastes like it cooked all day.
Ingredients
- * 2 tbsp olive oil
- * 4–6 Italian sausage links (sweet, hot, or a mix)
- * 1 lb ground beef
- * 1 large yellow onion, diced
- * 4 cloves garlic, minced
- * 2 tbsp tomato paste
- * 2 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled or crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if possible)
- * 1 can (28 oz) tomato purée or additional crushed tomatoes
- * 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- * 2 tsp dried oregano
- * 2 tsp dried basil
- * ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- * 1–2 cups chicken or beef broth (to thin sauce as needed)
- * 1 Parmesan rind (optional, for extra richness)
- * Salt & pepper, to taste
- * Fresh basil, for finishing
Instructions
How to Make Sunday Gravy
This is a process, but so worth the time, friends. Like Rosa, you must have patience. I promise it will be worth it in the end!
1. Brown the meats
* Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
* Brown sausage links until golden on all sides, 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
* Add ground beef and cook until well browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove and set aside with the sausage.
2. Sauté aromatics
* In the same pot, add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
* Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute, just until fragrant.
* Add tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor.
3. Build the sauce
* Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato purée, sugar (if using), oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
* Add broth as needed for your preferred consistency.
4. Simmer with meats
* Return sausage and ground beef to the pot.
* Add Parmesan rind (if using).
* Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and cook for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if sauce gets too thick.
5. Finish & serve
* Before serving, stir in a handful of torn fresh basil.
* Serve sauce over pasta (spaghetti, rigatoni, or ziti) with extra Parmesan.
* Plate sausages on the side or slice into chunks to serve right in the sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 343Trans Fat: 22gCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 17g
Cozy Up with a Book
If you want to step deeper into Aunt Rosa’s world, you’ll find her bustling around the kitchen in the Weddings by Bella books. Her gravy isn’t just a dish—it’s a character in its own right, woven into the story of family, love, and a few laugh-out-loud moments along the way.
Explore the Weddings by Bella Series
A Sunday Invitation
Friend, I don’t know what your Sundays look like. Maybe they’re busy. Maybe they’re quiet. But I hope you’ll find a way to slow down, gather with people you love, and savor something warm from the stove.
Aunt Rosa’s Sunday Gravy is more than a recipe—it’s a reminder that God calls us to fellowship, to rest, and to joyfully share life together.
Much love!
Janice
