Homemade Tomato Sauce with Italian Sausage and Red Wine

Transform your pasta nights with this rich and hearty Homemade Tomato Sauce with Italian Sausage and Red Wine. Bursting with bold, savory flavors, this recipe combines the robust taste of browned sweet or spicy Italian sausage with the complexity of dry red wine, creating a sauce that's as indulgent as it is comforting. Slow-simmered with crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and a blend of classic Italian herbs, this sauce develops an irresistibly deep and savory flavor profile. Perfectly balanced with a touch of sugar and optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat, it’s a versatile sauce that pairs beautifully with any pasta of your choice. Ready in just over an hour, this six-serving recipe is topped with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish—making it ideal for cozy family dinners or weekend entertaining.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup red wine (dry)
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 5

Deglaze the pan by adding the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce the wine slightly.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, salt, and pepper.

Step 7

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix to combine.

Step 8

Lower the heat to low and simmer the sauce, uncovered, for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 9

Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1777.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2146.3

Total Fat 145.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 317.5mg	0%
Sodium 7094.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 96.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.3g	0%
Total Sugars 53.8g
Protein 84.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 360.3mg	0%
Iron 14.7mg	0%
Potassium 3766.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.4%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 19.0%