Italian Sugo Recipes: A Comprehensive Guide

Italian Sugo Recipes: A Comprehensive Guide

Sugo is an Italian term for a sauce, typically made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs. It is a staple of Italian cuisine and is used in a variety of dishes, including pasta, pizza, and lasagna.

There are many different recipes for sugo, but they all share some basic ingredients and cooking methods. To make sugo, start by heating some olive oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add an onion, chopped, and garlic, minced, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Next, add a can of crushed tomatoes and a can of diced tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite Italian herbs, such as oregano, basil, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to develop the flavor.

Once the sugo is finished cooking, you can use it immediately or store it for later. To store sugo, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating it for up to 5 days or freezing it for up to 3 months.

Here are a few popular Italian sugo recipes:

Sugo di Pomodoro

This is the most basic type of sugo, and it is made simply with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs. It is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to develop the flavor.
Sugo di Carne

Sugo di carne is a meat-based sugo that is typically made with ground beef or sausage. It is a hearty and flavorful sauce that is perfect for pasta dishes.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound ground beef or sausage
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned.
Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, red wine, beef broth, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours, to develop the flavor.
Sugo di Pesce

Sugo di pesce is a seafood-based sugo that is typically made with shrimp, mussels, and clams. It is a light and flavorful sauce that is perfect for pasta dishes.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1 pound clams, scrubbed
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup fish broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the shrimp, mussels, and clams to the pot. Cook until the seafood is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, white wine, fish broth, parsley, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, to develop the flavor.

Tips for making Sugo:

Use