Let’s Put it all together.
The Sauce
The sauce will be done in stages, some prep work will be required prior to putting it all together. I will list all preparation steps first. It is always a good idea to have everything set up prior to starting the cooking process. It will save you time and, possibly, a ruined dish.
Grocery List
1lb (.45 kg) Italian Sausage, Hot, Sweet, or Mild
3 Large Onions, Chopped
3 28oz Cans of Whole Peeled Tomatoes, Mashed (if not using roasted fresh tomatoes)
4 8oz Cans of Tomato Sauce (if not using roasted fresh tomatoes)
6 Large Cloves of Garlic, Minced
8oz Merlot Wine or Beer (Wine is preferred)
3 Large Bay Leaf, Whole
2 Cloves, Whole
Italian Seasoning mix, to taste
Kosher or Sea Salt, to taste (do not use table salt)
Sugar, to taste
Block of Parmesan Cheese
Preparation
Onions
Chop the onions as desired. I prefer a variable chop, some fine, some coarse. It is up to you as to how to do it. Put them in a bowl and set aside.
Tomatoes (if not using roasted)
Open each can of the whole peeled tomatoes and place them in a large bowl and mash them using a potato masher. If you do not have one, a large fork will do. The goal is to break them up just a bit to add some tomato texture to the sauce. Set aside.
Open all cans of tomato sauce and set aside.
Garlic
Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. I use a Cuisinart Stick Blender, with the bowl and blade attachment to finely chop garlic. https://www.cuisinart.com/products/hand_blenders/csb-100.html Place in a small bowl, be sure to get all the bits.
Let’s Get Cookin’
Using a 5-quart pot, place it on the stove and heat it on high. Add in the Italian Sausage and sauté until brown and crumbly. Use a spatula to break up large pieces.
Add in the minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Add in the chopped onions and sauté until the onions are soft.
Add in the 2 cloves, 3 bay leaves, and a generous portion of the Italian seasoning mix. Add in the mashed tomatoes and stir.
Pour in all 4 cans of the tomato sauce. Pour in the wine, or beer, into one can, and swish it. Transfer it to another can and repeat to the last can, then add to the sauce. If using roasted tomatoes, add in 8oz of wine or beer to the pot and stir.
Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and allow to simmer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
NOTE!!
Be careful of seasoning the sauce. Until it has had time to rest, you will not know of the true flavor. Once it has had proper rest time, seasoning can be adjusted further.
Sample your sauce. Adjust to taste with salt, sugar and Italian seasoning. Continue to simmer for another hour, stirring occasionally.
After the sauce has reduced by at least an inch in the pot, add in the meatballs. Also, sample your sauce and adjust to taste. Continue to simmer for at least another hour, stirring occasionally.
After the sauce has reduced by at least an inch in the pot, add in the Sausage links. Also, sample your sauce and adjust to taste. Continue to simmer for at least another hour, stirring occasionally.
Turn off the heat and cover. Let it rest overnight. At this point, the tomatoes have not absorbed all the flavors. Letting it sit over night will allow the acid in the tomatoes to reduce and will absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
In the morning, uncover and heat on medium until it simmers, stirring occasionally. Sample your sauce and adjust as desired. Continue simmering and stirring for at least 2 hours.
Sample a meatball to ensure they are fully cooked.
When it is fully cooked, you should have a reduction of around 2 inches in the pot, and there should not be much water in it. Find and remove the 3 whole Bay Leaves and discard.
Cook your preferred pasta until al dente and place in a bowl. I use angel hair pasta.
Serving
This is just a suggestion. It is how I do it when I have a dinner party or packaging for later meals.
Remove the sausage links and meatballs and place in separate bowls. Pour the remaining sauce into a serving bowl.
Make available the block of parmesan cheese with a cheese shredder. Suggested wine for the meal is Merlot. Garlic and Rosemary bread goes well with this meal.
ENJOY!!