Sunday gravy is a classic Italian dish. Today I’m sharing an amazing Sunday Gravy recipe that is inspired by Mario Batali. You’ll find it difficult to distinguish between his version and my homemade one after tasting this delicacy! So, let’s get cooking and see what we can make.
In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to make Sunday Gravy, along with key ingredients and tips. Plus, I’ve included the nutrition information so that you can decide on which dish to choose. Let’s get started!
What is Mario Batali’s, Sunday Gravy?
Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy is an Italian-style stew created by the famous American chef Mario Batali, made from a combination of crushed tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, garlic, red wine, and spices.
It’s typically served over pasta with various meats and vegetables such as ground pork, pork loin stuffed with garlic cloves, lasagna sheets, beef with bone or without bone, Italian sausage, and eggs. It’s a hearty meal that is perfect for Sunday dinner or any other night of the week!
What does it taste like?
Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy is a flavorful and hearty dish. It has a robust tomato base that is complemented by the earthy flavors of mushrooms, onion, and garlic.
The red wine adds a subtle sweetness to the sauce while deepening its flavor. The various types of meat like pork, beef with bone or without bone, and Italian sausage add richness and depth of flavor, while the lasagna sheets give it a hearty type of meat texture.
To finish the dish, boiled eggs are added for a salty and creamy contrast. Overall, it’s a delicious dish that is sure to please any crowd!
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How did I first get introduced to Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy?
I was first introduced to Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy when I watched him make it on one of his cooking shows a few years ago. The dish instantly caught my eye, and I knew that I had to try it for myself!
After making it once, I immediately fell in love! The flavors were complex yet balanced, and the texture was perfect! Since then, it has become a regular in my weekly meal rotation. I am always happy to serve this dish and watch as everyone enjoys it!
How to make Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy?
Making Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy is easy and requires minimal effort. Below are the ingredients & step-by-step directions for this recipe:
Ingredients
- Spanish onion: This large, sweet onion adds flavor and texture to the tomato sauce.
- Pepper and salt: To season the tomato sauce
- Crushed tomatoes: This adds acidity and body to the tomato sauce.
- Bay leaves: These add a subtle aroma as well as a slight bitterness.
- Mushrooms, Shiitake, and oyster: These mushrooms add a savory, earthy flavor.
- Carrots: For sweetness and texture
- Rosemary: This herb adds an herbal aroma to the tomato sauce.
- Red wine: The alcohol cooks off and the acidity helps to deepen and enhance the flavors of the tomato sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a spicy kick to the tomato sauce.
- Thyme: for flavor, aroma, and, color
- Basil leaves: To add freshness to the stuffed chicken
- Red pepper: For sweetness and texture
- Chicken breast pieces: Thin-cut pounded flat and stuffed with goat cheese.
- Bread crumbs: To bind the meatballs and give them structure.
- Parsley leaves: For flavor and aroma
- Grill seasoning: To season the meatballs
- Diced onion: Adds texture and flavor to the meatballs
- Balsamic vinegar: Gives a subtle sweetness to the meatballs.
- Ground pork: For the flavorful base of the meatballs.
- Pork loin: To be stuffed with garlic cloves.
- Lasagna sheets: Used for the layering of the Sunday gravy dish.
- Beef with bone: For richness and depth of flavor.
- Boiled eggs: An Italian classic, boiled eggs in the gravy are a delicacy!
- Italian sausage: To add additional savory, spicy flavors.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
In a large pot over medium heat, add the Spanish onion with 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the pepper and salt to season.
Step 2
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms, diced carrots, rosemary, red wine, and garlic.
Step 3
Allow the mixture to come up to a boil before reducing the heat and simmering for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 4
Meanwhile, prepare the stuffed chicken. Place one basil leaf on each pounded chicken breast piece and top each one with 1 teaspoon of goat cheese. Roll up the chicken pieces and secure them with toothpicks.
Step 5
Mix together the bread crumbs, parsley leaves, grill seasoning, and diced onion in a bowl. Add the balsamic vinegar and ground pork before mixing lightly until everything is combined.
Step 6
Form the mixture into small-medium-sized meatballs.
Step 7
Stuff the pork loin with cloves and add to the simmering tomato sauce, along with the stuffed pieces and the meatballs.
Step 8
Layer the lasagna sheets over the top of everything in a single layer until covered.
Step 9
Add the beef with bone and boiled eggs to the sauce.
Step 10
Finally, add the Italian sausage and simmer for an additional 40 minutes or until all ingredients are cooked through.
Step 11
Serve warm over your favorite pasta!
Tips
-Make sure to simmer the tomato sauce for 25 minutes before adding other ingredients. This helps to develop flavor and texture.
-If you are using store-bought lasagna sheets, make sure to cook them first in boiling water according to package instructions before layering them in the Sunday gravy.
-For vegetarian Sunday gravy, simply omit the beef with bone and Italian sausage.
-Feel free to customize your Sunday gravy according to your taste preferences. Add additional herbs and spices for more flavor, or omit ingredients that you do not like.
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
For Tomato Sauce
- One chopped Spanish onion
- Pepper and salt
- Crushed tomatoes
- Two bay leaves
- Two cups of sliced shiitake, mushrooms, and oyster
- Two small carrots, finely diced
- One fresh rosemary
- 1/2 bottle of red wine, fully boiled
- Two chopped garlic
- One tbsp thyme
For Stuffed Chicken
- Six basil leaves
- One red peeled, seeded, and roasted pepper
- 3 chicken breast pieces, thin cut, pounded flat
- Toothpicks
- 3 tsp goat cheese
For Meatballs
- 1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tsp chopped parsley leaves
- 1 tsp grill seasoning
- 1 diced large Spanish onion
- 2 tsp of balsamic vinegar
- 1 lb of ground pork
Other Meats
- One lb pork loin, filled with garlic cloves
- Lasagna sheets
- Beef with bone
- Boiled eggs
- Four Italian sausage
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, add the Spanish onion with 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the pepper and salt to season.
- Next, add the crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms, diced carrots, rosemary, red wine, and garlic.
- Allow the mixture to come up to a boil before reducing the heat and simmering for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Meanwhile, prepare the stuffed chicken. Place one basil leaf on each pounded chicken breast piece and top each one with 1 teaspoon of goat cheese. Roll up the chicken pieces and secure them with toothpicks.
- Mix together the bread crumbs, parsley leaves, grill seasoning, and diced onion in a bowl. Add the balsamic vinegar and ground pork before mixing lightly until everything is combined.
- Form the mixture into small-medium-sized meatballs.
- Stuff the pork loin with cloves and add to the simmering tomato sauce, along with the stuffed pieces and the meatballs.
- Layer the lasagna sheets over the top of everything in a single layer until covered.
- Add the beef with bone and boiled eggs to the sauce.
- Finally, add the Italian sausage and simmer for an additional 40 minutes or until all ingredients are cooked through.
- Serve warm over your favorite pasta!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information
- Total Fat: 12.7 g,
- Saturated Fat: 4.3 g,
- Cholesterol: 112 mg,
- Sodium: 427 mg,
- Carbohydrates: 19.1 g,
- Fiber: 2.8 g,
- Sugar 5.2 g,
- Protein 32. 9g
What to serve with Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy?
Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy is best served over a bed of your favorite pasta. You can also serve it with classic Italian sides such as roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, and a side salad.
If you are looking for more traditional Italian flavors, bruschetta is an excellent accompaniment to this dish. For those who prefer a lighter meal, garlic bread is also delicious with the Sunday Gravy.
For dessert, try a classic Italian pastry such as cannoli or tiramisu. They pair perfectly with Sunday Gravy and will be sure to please your guests!
How to store leftover Mario Batali’s, Sunday Gravy?
Leftover Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
When ready to enjoy, simply reheat in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Be sure to stir occasionally and add a bit of water or broth if needed.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Pregnant women can safely eat Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy, as long as the ingredients are cooked through and reheated properly. However, pregnant women should avoid consuming raw or undercooked meats and should consume all other ingredients in moderation.
It is best to consult with a doctor prior to consuming this dish if you have any concerns. Pregnant women should also take extra care to thoroughly wash all produce and avoid any raw or unpasteurized dairy products.
FAQs
How can I make Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy healthier?
To make Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy healthier, you can reduce the amount of fat in the dish by using leaner cuts of beef or subbing them out for plant-based proteins.
You can also reduce the amount of sodium by omitting the anchovies and adding more herbs and spices for flavor instead.
Finally, you can increase the fiber content by adding additional vegetables to the dish such as carrots or spinach.
Can I use canned tomatoes for this recipe?
Yes, you can use canned tomatoes for this recipe. However, using fresh or home-canned tomatoes will provide the best flavor and texture for Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy.
If you do choose to use canned tomatoes, make sure to drain them first before adding them to the dish.
Wrapping Up
Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy is a classic Italian recipe that is sure to be a hit with your family. The combination of beef, sausage, and tomatoes creates an incredibly rich and flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta or any other side dish.
To make the most out of this dish, make sure to simmer the tomato sauce for at least an hour and follow the package instructions before layering in the other ingredients. By doing so, you can be sure to enjoy a flavorful and comforting Sunday dinner that will become a family favorite.
Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoy making Mario Batali’s Sunday Gravy for your family.
Happy cooking!
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Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more