Conforti Family Red Gravy Spaghetti Sauce Recipes

ITALIAN RED SAUCE AKA RED GRAVY OR SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place olive oil in a large soup pot.
• Add garlic and simmer about one minute, do not let it brown.
• Put tomatoes in blender and blend briefly to smooth out the tomatoes.
• Then add to garlic.
• Cut Italian ham in chunks.
• When I order this from the Deli, I have them cut it in 1/2 lb slab.
• Add basil and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Let simmer about 6 hours.
• I always check the richness of the sauce by putting a spoonful in a clean bowl, let it sit for about 5 minutes and if water is seperating from the sauce, continue to simmer.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE (AKA: RED GRAVY)

Steps:

• In a large dutch oven or 8 quart pot. briefly cook garlic and olive oil.
• Place fresh sausage and neck bones in pot.
• Add desired amounts of salt and pepper to meats.
• Add enough of the 2 qts. of water to cover meats in the pot, (not all of the water may be used). Cover and cook on low-medium for at least an hour. Do not allow water to boil; this will toughen meats.
• Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot and stir. Begin with 4 cans and add the last can according to desired thickness, remembering that sauce will thicken as it cooks.
• Add spices, again according to taste, and stir. More may be added as sauce cooks.
• Stir frequently and keep on low to medium heat, making sure sauce never boils. Continue to cook for at least 4 hours; sauce may cook longer if desired.
• Homemade or store-prepared meatballs may be added to pot.
• Serve over pasta, raviolis, or as a base to lasagnas and zitis.

SPAGHETTI RED

Steps:

• Preheat olive oil in pan
• Peel and chop tomatoes.
• saute onion and garlic until tender.
• add tomatoes, salt, basil, oregano, bay leaf, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, tomato paste, hamburger and 4 strips of bacon.
• cover and simmer 15-20 minutes.
• serve over pasta and sprinkle with remaining bacon.

BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350F.
• 2. Heat a large pot of 1/2 water, 1/2 chicken stock (2 quarts) to a strong boil. Add a Tbsp of salt.
• 3. Add the pasta & cook till al dente. Drain. **Note: Grandmom Elaine used to drizzle olive oil over pasta to keep it from sticking. But it keeps the cheese from sticking to the pasta so I don't use it.
• 4. Put pasta into an oven proof baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray.
• 5. Add the Red Gravy, mix it in
• 6. Break up the Ricotta, then mix it in.
• 7. Add 1/2 mozzarella, mix it in
• 8. Top with provolones slices, if using. Then the remaining mozzarella, and the Parmesan
• 9. Bake 20-30 mins or until cheese is golden & sauce is bubbly.