Momma’s MeAt Sauce

And Yes It’s Sauce Not Gravy

by Tony Camardo

If you grew up in East Utica, in those days it was predominantly Italian like I did, you knew that on Saturday the meatballs were going to be on the stove cooking as mom was getting Sunday’s meal started.

Next the sausage and pork was browned and Momma’s sauce, for the next days dinner, was on its way.  Growing up in my house we enjoyed my mother’s sauce and pasta every Sunday and Thursday. You could set a calendar by it, all you had to do was smell it cooking and you knew what day it was. 

To this day I use her recipe just like she did with no exact measures… you know when it’s right by the look and the taste.

Growing up Italian you grandmother and your mother never measured the ingredients they added until it was right and that’s how their recipes actually read. 

Momma’s Meat Sauce
And Yes, It’s Sauce Not Gravy

Saute your meat sausage, beef, pork meatballs
(any combination that you like)

Set aside

In that oil

• Saute 3-4 cloves of minced garlic
• Add 2 cans of large (28oz.)crushed tomatoes
• Add 1 large can of (12oz.) tomato paste
• Add 2 tsp. of Italian seasoning (when I have it I use fresh basil,
  oregano, celery leaves, and parsley from my garden)
• Add 2 28oz. cans of water

Once you bring this to a simmer add the meats to your sauce

Simmer for about two hours or until your meats reach the desired doneness.

You can add water to attain your desired thickness of the sauce