Christmas Pasta Sauce

Authentic Christmas Pasta Sauce Recipe from Italy - Olive Oil, Italian Sausage, Tomatoes, and More!

Region / culture: Italy | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 6

Introduction

Christmas Pasta Sauce is a hearty and flavorful sauce that is perfect for the holiday season. This rich and savory sauce is made with a combination of Italian sausage, ground beef, pancetta, and a variety of aromatic vegetables and spices. It is simmered to perfection and can be served over your favorite pasta for a delicious and comforting meal.

History

The origins of Christmas Pasta Sauce are rooted in traditional Italian cuisine. This sauce is often enjoyed during the holiday season as a festive and comforting dish. The combination of meats, vegetables, and spices creates a complex and delicious flavor profile that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

0.25 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
1 small carrot
1 small onion
1 small celery stalk
1 large garlic clove
1 lb (454 g) of italian sausage
0.33 lb (150 g) of ground beef
6.5 oz (184 g) of diced pancetta
0.5 tsp of salt
0.5 tsp of freshly ground pepper
0.25 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg
0.5 cup of dry red wine
0.5 cup of tomato paste
1 cup of chopped Italian tomatoes
2 tbsp of parsley
dried porcini mushrooms (to taste)

How to prepare

Soak the porcini mushrooms in warm water for at least 0.5 hour.
Remove the mushrooms from the water, squeeze them dry, and chop them.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the carrot, onion, and celery, and sauté until the onion is golden, about 4 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the sausage, ground beef, and pancetta to the pan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring to break up the meat, until the beef and sausage are no longer pink.
Drain off any fat.
Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Pour in the red wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until it evaporates, about 5 minutes.
Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, porcini mushrooms, and 0.5 cup of warm water.
Simmer for 30 minutes.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water.
The recipe can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Cover and refrigerate; reheat before serving.
Add the parsley just before serving.

Variations

For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Add a splash of cream or milk for a creamy texture.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the sauce.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the meats until they are no longer pink to ensure they are fully cooked.

- Adjust the seasonings to taste, adding more salt, pepper, or nutmeg as needed.

- If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add a little more water to reach your desired consistency.

- For a richer flavor, you can use a combination of beef and pork sausage in the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Christmas Pasta Sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or fettuccine. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for a finishing touch.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to simmer the sauce over low heat to allow the flavors to meld together.

- Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find pancetta, you can substitute bacon or prosciutto.

- Feel free to use any type of Italian sausage you prefer, such as sweet or spicy.

Make Ahead Tips

The Christmas Pasta Sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Simply cover and refrigerate the sauce, then reheat before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the Christmas Pasta Sauce in a large serving bowl with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. Pair with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.

Pairing Recommendations

This sauce pairs well with a variety of pasta shapes, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or rigatoni. Serve with a side of garlic bread and a glass of red wine for a delicious meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Christmas Pasta Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

The Christmas Pasta Sauce contains approximately 350 calories per serving.

Carbohydrates

The Christmas Pasta Sauce contains approximately 12 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Fats

The Christmas Pasta Sauce contains approximately 25 grams of fat per serving.

Proteins

The Christmas Pasta Sauce contains approximately 20 grams of protein per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

This sauce is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (if using cheese as a garnish) and gluten (if served with pasta).

Summary

Overall, Christmas Pasta Sauce is a rich and hearty sauce that is high in protein and fat. It is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for the holiday season.

Summary

Christmas Pasta Sauce is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for the holiday season. This rich and savory sauce is made with a combination of meats, vegetables, and spices that create a complex and flavorful dish. Serve over your favorite pasta for a satisfying meal that is sure to impress. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I can still recall the sense of amazement I felt when I first saw this recipe for Christmas Pasta Sauce. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the art of cooking from my own grandmother. She was a master in the kitchen, with a wealth of knowledge passed down through generations. I would spend hours watching her work her magic, transforming simple ingredients into delicious meals that brought our family together.

One Christmas, as we gathered around the table to enjoy a festive feast, my grandmother surprised us all with a new dish - Christmas Pasta Sauce. The aroma that filled the room was intoxicating, a rich blend of tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and spices that seemed to capture the essence of the holiday season. As I took my first bite, I knew I had to learn how to make this sauce myself.

I begged my grandmother to teach me the recipe, and she agreed with a smile. She led me into the kitchen, where she began to explain each step in detail. I listened intently, taking notes and asking questions along the way. I watched as she diced the onions, crushed the garlic, and simmered the tomatoes until they were bursting with flavor. I could see the love and care she put into every ingredient, and I knew that was the secret to making this sauce truly special.

As I followed her instructions and made the sauce myself for the first time, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. The kitchen was filled with the same wonderful aroma that I remembered from that Christmas dinner, and I knew that I had captured a small piece of my grandmother's magic in my own cooking.

Over the years, I have continued to perfect the recipe for Christmas Pasta Sauce, adding my own twists and variations to make it truly my own. I have shared it with friends and family, who always rave about its delicious flavor and unique holiday charm. Each time I make it, I am reminded of that special Christmas dinner and the bond that cooking has helped me forge with my grandmother.

I have come to realize that recipes are more than just a list of ingredients and instructions - they are a connection to our past, a way to preserve and pass down traditions from one generation to the next. My grandmother's recipes have become a part of who I am, a legacy that I am proud to carry on.

As I prepare to share this recipe for Christmas Pasta Sauce with my own grandchildren, I know that I am passing on more than just a delicious dish. I am passing on the love, the memories, and the traditions that have shaped me into the cook I am today. And for that, I am forever grateful to my grandmother and the gift of her recipes.