Slow-Cooker Sunday Gravy

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  • Total: 8 hr 30 min
  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 8 hr 20 min
This sauce showcases tomatoes three ways: sun-dried tomatoes add sweetness and body, toasted tomato paste adds intense flavor, while crushed tomatoes melt down into this hearty sauce.
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 pounds hot Italian sausage links

2 tablespoons tomato paste

4 beef short ribs (about 2 pounds)

2 teaspoons dried Italian herb mix

6 cloves garlic, smashed

6 sun-dried tomatoes, preferably not oil-packed

Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes

1 large onion, chopped

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound rigatoni or ziti

Freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino

Directions

  1. Heat a large skillet or a 5 1/2- to 6-quart stovetop-safe slow cooker insert over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until brown all over, 7 to 8 minutes. Push the sausage to the side of the cooker. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until brick red, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up the browned bits.
  2. Add the short ribs, Italian herbs, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, onions, bay leaf, 1 tablespoon salt and some pepper to the insert and put it into the slow cooker. If you're using a skillet, transfer the tomato mixture to the slow cooker at this point. Cover the cooker, set it on low and cook until the beef is very tender, 6 to 8 hours.
  3. When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain.
  4. Transfer the sausage and beef to a cutting board, slice into serving portions and arrange on a serving platter. Toss the pasta with some of the sauce and transfer to a serving bowl.
  5. Serve the meat and pasta with the Parmesan and remaining sauce on the side. Freeze any leftover sauce for up to 1 month.

Let's Get Cooking!

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JoAnne M.

This looks absolutely delicious. I’m going to try this next weekend. I don’t care if you call it sauce or gravy, just call it DELICIOUS!!!

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