South Philly Gravy Recipe

Name: South Philly Gravy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 (28 ounce) cans san marzano tomatoes (whole, peeled and in puree); 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 2 yellow onions; 8 garlic cloves; 1/2 cup red wine; olive oil; 2 tablespoons dried basil; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 2 small whole bay leaves; 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes; 2 teaspoons dried sage; 2 tablespoons dried parsley; 1 pinch sugar (literally a pinch of sugar); meat, for gravy (usually a pork rib end, a small piece of beef and a small piece of veal)

Servings: persons

2 (28 ounce) cans san marzano tomatoes (whole, peeled and in puree)
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 yellow onions
8 garlic cloves
1/2 cup red wine
olive oil
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 small whole bay leaves
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried sage
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 pinch sugar (literally a pinch of sugar)
meat, for gravy (usually a pork rib end, a small piece of beef and a small piece of veal)

1
Heat olive oil in a large pot. I use the pot I'm going to cook the gravy in, like a stock pot.
2
Brown the outside of the meat. Don't cook it all the way through.
3
Meanwhile, mince the onions and the garlic. I mince them very fine since I don't really like onions all that much but love the flavor of an onion.
4
Once the meat is browned, remove it. Toss in the onions and garlic and sautee until soft.
5
Deglaze the pan with the red wine. This just adds another layer of flavor. In the meantime, open your tomatoes and crush the San Marzanos. Some people use a potato masher but I usually just use my hands. It saves time and dirties one less utensil.
6
Add the tomatoes to the pot, the dried herbs and the tomato paste. Cook for up to six hours on very low. The herbs can be adjusted to taste. I learned to cook this in a much larger pot than you need so you don't have to use a lid. Covering the sauce/gravy makes it too thin since the condensation can't escape. If you must cover it make sure you vent the lid.
7
Serve with your favorite pasta.

448

kcal

Calories

103

Carbs

Protein

Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 (28 ounce) cans san marzano tomatoes (whole, peeled and in puree), 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, 2 yellow onions, and more.

Yes, South Philly Gravy falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

South Philly Gravy

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions