Sunday Gravy from ‘Nonnas’: History, Heart, and the Real Recipe

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When Italians say Sunday Gravy, they don’t mean the creamy American kind. It’s a rich tomato and meat sauce, rooted in Neapolitan tradition, that came to the U.S. with Italian immigrants.

🇮🇹 What Is Sunday Gravy?

Despite the name, there’s no cream involved. Sunday Gravy is a robust tomato-based sauce that’s gently simmered for hours with meats like Italian sausage, pork ribs, meatballs, and even oxtail. Italian-American families, especially in cities like New York and Philadelphia, used the word “gravy” to describe any deeply flavored sauce served over pasta.

Historically, this dish was reserved for Sundays, when families had time to cook together. They’d start early—sometimes before church—and let the sauce bubble away all day. As a result, by dinnertime, homes would be filled with the inviting scent of garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

The ‘Nonnas’ Connection

Cast of Nonnas standing in front of Enoteca Maria on Staten Island
Cast of Nonnas standing in front of Enoteca Maria
Image Credit: © Netflix – Promotional poster from Nonnas (2025). Used here for review purposes under fair use.

In Nonnas, Sunday Gravy becomes more than a recipe—it represents family history, healing, and emotional connection. It’s the dish Joe longs for in memory of his mother, and ultimately, it brings him back to his roots.

🍎 The Enoteca Maria Twist

The version in the film features a special addition: red apples. Though not traditional, this touch symbolizes how personal stories shape family recipes. Some households might include wine, a dash of cinnamon, or sweet raisins—each variation grounded in memory and meaning.

Recipe: Sunday Gravy (as seen in Nonnas)

Ingredients for Sunday Gravy—including red apples, tomatoes, Italian sausage, herbs, garlic, and olive oil—arranged on a red checkered tablecloth with a cooking pot in the background.
A warm kitchen scene featuring all the ingredients needed for authentic Sunday Gravy

Ingredients:

  • 2 red apples
  • 7 cups water
  • 6 links hot or sweet Italian sausage
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 (14.5 oz) cans whole tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp dried or fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tbsp dried or fresh oregano, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, simmer apples and water until the apples soften and their aroma becomes fragrant, about 1 hour. Strain the liquid, discard the apples, and set the apple-infused broth aside.
  2. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium-high heat, sear the sausage links until browned. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside.
  3. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add minced garlic and stir for another minute until aromatic.
  4. Pour in the apple broth and tomatoes. Stir to combine. Add basil, oregano, black pepper, and parsley. Mix thoroughly.
  5. Cut the sausages into chunks and return them to the pot. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and let the sauce slow-cook uncovered for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
  6. Serve hot, generously ladled over your favorite pasta—like rigatoni, ziti, or spaghetti.
A bowl of Sunday Gravy, rich in tomato sauce and meat, garnished with herbs, sitting on a wooden table beside fresh parsley and tomatoes.
The final dish—Sunday Gravy slow-simmered to perfection

More Than a Sauce

This isn’t just a pasta topping—Sunday Gravy is a living tradition, lovingly handed down through generations. In many Italian-American households, it means more than nourishment. It represents a shared ritual, a comforting memory, and a celebration of home.

In our next posts, we’ll explore the stories behind other dishes from Nonnas—like Cannoli, Capuzzelle, and Polpette. Stay tuned!