Pot Roast Sunday Sauce and Rigatoni

Featured in Center of the plate recipes.

This classic Italian Sunday Sauce combines a tender chuck roast with homemade Italian sausage meatballs in a deeply flavorful sauce. The recipe builds complex flavors through a long, slow roast with San Marzano tomatoes, red wine, and aromatic vegetables and herbs. Optional star anise adds subtle depth, while a parmesan rind enriches the sauce further. After hours of gentle cooking, the meat becomes fork-tender and is shredded into the sauce. The final dish comes together by tossing rigatoni with the rich sauce, cream, butter, and parmesan for the ultimate comfort meal.
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:56:38 GMT
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Pot Roast Sunday Sauce With Rigatoni | myhomemaderecipe.com

A perfect Sunday sauce takes time, but this pot roast version delivers incredible depth of flavor while being budget-friendly. The combination of tender, slow-cooked beef, spicy Italian sausage, and rich tomato sauce creates a hearty pasta dish that's worth every minute of cooking.

The first time I swapped expensive short ribs for pot roast in my Sunday sauce, I was amazed at how rich and flavorful the result was. Now it's become my go-to method for creating an impressive yet economical Italian feast.

Essential Ingredients

  • Chuck Roast: Choose well-marbled meat
  • Italian Sausage: Adds depth and spice
  • San Marzano Tomatoes: Worth the splurge

Detailed Instructions

Meat Preparation (15 minutes):
Cut roast into even chunks. Season generously with salt and pepper. Brown meat in batches. Remove and set aside. Brown sausage pieces. Keep rendered fat in pot.
Building Base (10 minutes):
Add onions to same pot. Cook until translucent. Add garlic and carrots. Stir in celery. Add herbs and spices. Let vegetables soften.
Sauce Development (4-5 hours):
Add tomatoes and paste. Pour in red wine. Return meat to pot. Bring to gentle simmer. Transfer to oven. Cook until meat falls apart.
Final Assembly (20 minutes):
Shred meat in sauce. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve pasta water. Add cream gradually. Toss pasta with sauce. Adjust consistency as needed.
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Pot Roast Sunday Sauce With Rigatoni | myhomemaderecipe.com

Growing up, Sunday sauce was always made with expensive cuts of meat, but discovering how wonderfully pot roast works in this recipe changed everything. The meat becomes so tender it practically melts into the sauce, creating something truly special.

Storage and Leftovers

  • This sauce is even better the next day and freezes beautifully
  • Make a double batch and divide into portions for future meals
  • Transform into multiple dishes - from pasta to stuffed peppers or lasagna

Wine Pairing and Serving

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Pot Roast Sunday Sauce With Rigatoni | myhomemaderecipe.com
  • Pair with robust red wine like Chianti or Montepulciano
  • Serve with crusty bread for soaking up sauce
  • Complement with a simple green salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Professional Chef Tips

  • Brown meat in batches for better caramelization
  • Keep sauce at bare simmer while cooking
  • Add pasta water to reach desired consistency

Creative Variations

  • Add mushrooms for richer sauce
  • Splash balsamic vinegar at the end to brighten flavors
  • Include crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Prepare sauce up to three days ahead
  • Reheat gently, adding pasta water or cream to adjust consistency
  • Let flavors develop over the weekend for best results

Feeding a Crowd

  • Double the sauce (keep pasta amounts the same)
  • Serve alongside grilled vegetables and crusty bread
  • Set out extra parmesan, red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs for customization

This Pot Roast Sunday Sauce has taught me that sometimes the most humble ingredients create the most memorable meals. Whether you're cooking for family or feeding a crowd, this sauce brings people together around the table, and isn't that what Sunday dinner is all about?

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Pot Roast Sunday Sauce With Rigatoni | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why cook it for so long?
The long cooking time allows the meat to become tender and the flavors to develop fully.
→ Can I skip the star anise?
Yes, it's optional but adds a subtle depth to the sauce.
→ Why use San Marzano tomatoes?
These tomatoes are sweeter and less acidic, creating a better sauce.
→ Can I make this ahead?
Yes, the sauce actually improves if made a day ahead.
→ What wine works best?
Use a full-bodied red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pot Roast Sunday Sauce Rigatoni

A hearty Italian-style pasta dish featuring tender pot roast and tiny meatballs in a rich wine-infused tomato sauce.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
240 Minutes
Total Time
260 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Meat

01 1 (2-3 pound) beef chuck roast, cut into 4 chunks
02 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 6 cloves garlic, chopped
05 1 cup chopped carrots
06 1 cup chopped celery

→ Sauce Base

07 2 (32 ounce) cans crushed San Marzano tomatoes
08 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
09 2 cups red wine
10 1 whole star anise (optional)

→ Seasonings

11 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
12 2 bay leaves
13 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
14 Salt and black pepper

→ Finishing

15 1 pound rigatoni pasta
16 1 cup cream
17 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
18 4 tablespoons salted butter

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 325°F. Season chuck roast with salt and pepper and place in Dutch oven. Form sausage into tiny meatballs and arrange around roast.

Step 02

Add onions, garlic, carrots, celery, seasonings, herbs. Pour in tomatoes, paste, wine, water, and star anise. Add parmesan rind if available.

Step 03

Cover and roast 3½ to 5 hours until meat is very tender. Shred meat in sauce. Remove star anise and bay leaves.

Step 04

Cook pasta according to package. Return to pot and add sauce, cream, parmesan, and butter. Toss to combine.

Notes

  1. Long, slow-cooked Sunday style sauce
  2. Parmesan rind adds extra flavor if available
  3. Best served with crusty bread and winter salad

Tools You'll Need

  • Large oven-safe Dutch oven
  • Pasta pot

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream, parmesan, butter)
  • Contains gluten (pasta)