Weeknight Italian Gravy Instant Pot or Stove Top

Instant Pot Directions

Step one

Press Sauté on Instant Pot and heat oil.  Cook garlic, red pepper flakes and herbs for 2 minutes until the herbs are fragrant and garlic is golden. Add onion carrots and fennel; cook for 5 minutes until they are soft.

Step two

Deglaze with red wine and evaporate the alcohol. Hand crush the peeled plum tomatoes and add to saucepan, along with juice.  Add crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, sugar and season with salt and black pepper.

Step three

Set pot to Manual, High Pressure and time to 15 minutes.  When 15 minutes are done, allow to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.  Remove bay leaves.

Step four

If using Italian sausage, you will brown after cooking onions and carrots in the first step.  If adding meatballs, you can add at the end to warm through.

Step five

Option: Serve over your favorite pasta and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Stove Top Directions

Step one

Heat oil in a large saucepan over low heat.  Sauté garlic, red pepper flakes and herbs for 2 minutes until the herbs are fragrant and garlic is golden. Raise the heat to medium, add onion carrots and fennel; cook for 5 minutes until they are soft.

Step two

Deglaze with red wine and reduce to evaporate the alcohol. Hand crush the peeled plum tomatoes and add to saucepan, along with juice.

Step three

Add crushed tomatoes sugar and season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 1 hour.

Step four

Remove bay leaves. Add your choice of meat the last 30 minutes of cooking time.

Step five

Option: Serve over your favorite pasta and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.