This easy Calabrese Sauce is a delicious meat sauce bursting with flavor!
This Italian sauce originates from the Calabria region of Southern Italy. It's a delicious meat sauce consisting of pork, sausage, vegetables, and tomatoes. It's delicious served with pasta! It's known for it's spicy flavor and has a texture similar to bolognese sauce.
Loved by our readers!
This is by far the most authentic sauce I've had. My home smelled like my grandmothers, the taste transports you to Italy -even if you haven't been there- and it will have you coming back for seconds. We did use spicy Italian links and cut them into 4ths prior to sautéing. Don't sleep on this. You will love it!
- our reader, Gina
What Is Calabrese Sauce?
Calabrese sauce is inspired by the southern Italian region of Calabria, known for bold flavors and spice. This version is a tomato-based meat sauce seasoned with red pepper flakes - not to be confused with Calabrian chili paste.
How Is Calabrese Sauce Different From Other Italian Sauces?
- Arrabbiata: Tomato-based and spicy, but usually meatless.
- Bolognese: Rich meat sauce, but not typically spicy.
- Fra Diavolo: Spicy seafood-focused sauce.
- Calabrese: Combines tomato, meat, and noticeable heat inspired by Calabria.
Recipe Inspiration
Did you know that Italian pasta sauces and pasta recipes are incredibly regional? Each region has particular recipes based on the ingredients and produce that are available.
This Calabrese sauce is full of ingredients available in the southern region of Italy. The rich meat and tomato flavor is absolutely delicious!
This sauce is typically served as a secondi - which means the second dish at an Italian restaurant, which is usually a rich meat dish.
We love serving this sauce with some pasta and fresh basil. Yum!
If you're looking for more sauce recipes, check out our Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Quick Ragu Sauce, and Pesto Rosso Sauce.
Jump to:
- What Is Calabrese Sauce?
- How Is Calabrese Sauce Different From Other Italian Sauces?
- Recipe Inspiration
- Why This Recipe Works
- Ingredients
- Directions
- How Spicy Is Calabrese Sauce?
- Kitchen Equipment
- Recipe Substitutions/Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Storage and Reheating
- Other Recipes to Try
- Calabrese Sauce
Why This Recipe Works
- Bold, savory flavor: This Calabrese-style meat sauce is rich with tomatoes and sausage, balanced with just the right amount of heat from red pepper flakes. It's hearty, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
- Inspired by southern Italian flavors: Calabria is known for bold, spicy dishes, and this sauce captures that warmth in an approachable, weeknight-friendly way.
- Easy to make: No complicated steps or specialty ingredients - just simple technique and classic flavors that come together beautifully.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a large batch and freeze portions for busy nights. The flavors deepen over time, making leftovers even better.
- Versatile: Toss it with pasta, spoon it over creamy polenta, or use it as a filling for baked dishes like lasagna or stuffed shells.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this Italian pasta sauce:
- Olive Oil
- White Onion - Finely diced
- Carrot - Finely diced
- Celery - Finely diced
- Garlic - Minced
- Ground Pork - Or ground Italian sausage
- Italian Sausage Links - Mild or spicy, depending on your preference
- Red Wine - I used Merlot, but any dry red works
- Crushed Tomatoes - You can substitute tomato puree or fresh, ripe tomatoes
- Red Pepper Flakes - for a touch of chili pepper spice
- Salt and Pepper
- Bay Leaves
Directions
Let's make this Calabrese recipe together!
Step 1: Sauté Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large sauce pot over medium-high heat. Sauté vegetables until soft, then add garlic. Sauté for another minute and remove vegetable and garlic mixture from the pot.
Step 2: Brown Meat
Add the ground pork and Italian sausage to the pot over medium heat. Break up the pork and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add wine to the pot and scrape any sausage bits that stick to the bottom of the pot.
Step 3: Simmer
Add vegetables, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves to the pot. Mix well, cover, and simmer on low heat for at least one hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Serve
Remove bay leaves from sauce and serve. We love serving this dish with al dente pasta, fresh bread, and red wine!
How Spicy Is Calabrese Sauce?
This sauce has moderate heat from red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing the flakes to suit your preference.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Quality Stock Pot - I have this stock pot and I love using it for sauces such as this one. It distributes heat so well and will last!
- Large Serving Bowl - Use a large serving bowl and serve this family style, just like they do in Italy!
- Serving Spoon - This gold serving spoon is similar to the one photographed for this recipe. A stylish serving spoon is an easy way to make a dish look even more impressive!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.
- Ground Pork Substitution - You may substitute ground beef instead of ground pork in this recipe.
- Make it More Spicy - To make this recipe spicy, use spicy Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes to your desired spice level.
- Wine Substitution - You may use white wine or cooking stock as a substitution for red wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Calabrese Sauce is a meat sauce containing pork, Italian sausage, onion, celery, carrots, red wine, and tomatoes. It's a slow simmering sauce that is rich in flavor.
Calabrese style food is from the Calabria region of Southern Italy. Calabrese style food contains a variety of local vegetables and lots of pork in recipes.
Calabrese style cooking relies strongly on pork. Red pepper flakes or hot peppers are often added for spice to Calabrian dishes.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight continuer and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
- Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Calabrese Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 white onion diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 lb Italian sausage links
- 1 cup red wine
- 4 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add white onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute.
- Remove vegetables and garlic from the pot and set aside. Add ground pork and Italian sausage links. Break up ground pork and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add wine to the pot and scrape any sausage bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Add vegetables, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves to the pot. Mix well and cover.
- Simmer sauce on low heat for at least one hour.
- Remove bay leaves from the sauce, check and adjust seasoning, and serve.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment below or tag us @tasting.with.tina on Instagram!
Jennifer says
Absolutely delicious and easy to make!
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you enjoyed!
Peter says
Delicious! 😋🍽🇮🇹
Christina Musgrave says
We agree!
Brenda says
I love this! My whole family was obsessed with the sauce!
Christina Musgrave says
We love it too!
Joe Conner says
Holy moly! This took me right back to Italy. I will definitely be making this again.
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you enjoyed!
Jess says
Such a crowd pleaser! A well balanced red sauce, loved the addition of sausage
Christina Musgrave says
It really is so good! I love the sausage too, it's so delicious!
Nick says
This just looks perfect!
Christina Musgrave says
Thank you, you'll love the recipe!
Nick says
Perfect amount of spice!
Christina Musgrave says
So glad you liked it!
Gina says
This is by far the most authentic sauce I’ve had. My home smelled like my grandmothers, the taste transports you to Italy -even if you haven’t been there- and it will have you coming back for seconds. We did use spicy Italian links and cut them into 4ths prior to sautéing. Don’t sleep on this. You will love it!
Casey says
We made this last night, it was easy, authentic, and delicious!