Easy Gravy or Sauce for Meatballs & Sausage

2 large cans of tomatoes sauce puree

1 can of tomato paste

1/4 cup of olive oil

4 medium garlic cloves

1 small onion chopped

1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 cup of red wine

1/2 of Parmesan or Romano cheese

1 1/2 teaspoon of salt (optional)

1/2 teaspoon of basil

1 tablespoon of sugar

1/2 cup of cold water

6 Sweet Sausage pieces (parboil in water ahead) 

In a large pan heat olive oil on medium heat, add the garlic cloves, the onions and pepper.  Saute until ingredients are soft and golden brown for about 3-5 minutes.  Then add the tomatoes sauce, cup of water, red wine, sugar, and cheese and salt, stir well to blend over medium heat.  Add the boiled sausage and  meatballs noted in the blog. 

Please note I like to parboil my sausage ahead and drain to take all the grease out of it which puts less grease and fat into the sauce. You do not need to, but I like it better this way.  I find that it does not take away from the flavor of the gravy, although some may feel otherwise. 

You may also cook this sauce in a slow cooker at low heat for the 4-5 hours, in which case you would saute the garlic, onions, pepper first then turn into slow cooker adding all other ingredients into the slow cooker.  You can fry you meatballs first then turn into the pan or slow cooker, or drop them into the sauce not fried.

I usually do not fry them, but both ways are fine.

This recipe is an easy meat gravy for Pasta.  I will be posting an Italian meat sauce gravy with another blog.

Serve this sauce over your favorite pasta!