Next Post
Sweet and Spicy Rosemary Cheddar + Gorgonzola Pumpkin Crackers.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
You guys, I promise I am well aware it is Monday, but hopefully this crockpot Sunday sauce helps you get through it….
I mean, I wish it was still Sunday and all, but yeah it’s Monday.
So why Crockpot Sunday Sauce on a Monday? Hello, because I am giving you six whole days to run to the store, buy whatever you may not have and put this on the books for this Sunday. There is even a good possibility you already have everything on hand to make this right now. It’s all about staple ingredients today.
Since we are on the topic of Sunday, let’s first talk about my Sunday. I drank my very first cup of coffee, and not coffee with sugar and cream, nope, straight black coffee.
And you guys, eew.
It was disgusting. Literally so gross. It got better as I kept drinking it, but still. Well actually, I drank a half cup before my hike and that half cup was horrible. I drank the other half cup after my hike and that half wasn’t as bad. Still wasn’t good, but I will have to try again soon because I am at the point in my adult life (yikes) where I need something in the morning to help me well, um not fall asleep at my desk. Plus, lately I am having a really hard time focusing. It’s actually horrible. I can’t seem to just focus in on one task before I move to another – without finishing the previous task. I don’t know what the deal is, but it’s just getting worse, so coffee seemed like a good idea. Although, I really didn’t feel any different after my one very strong cup of black coffee.
Is coffee even supposed to help you focus? You know what I really wish it could do? I really wish it was some magical drink that could help me make decisions because my indecisiveness is just getting ridiculous. RIDICULOUS.
Anyway, in happy, good news. Things with the barn are going well. I now have heated floors thanks to the very awesome (and super nice) plumber, Richard. YEAH! I am totally going to be needing those right away…without them I’d freeze for sure. If you didn’t know, it’s kind of cold where I live. My hike yesterday was a total white out, like icicles framing my face from my hair. Hard to believe right now, but it’s supposed to be nice all week, so we’re hoping to get the concrete poured by the end of the week!
Also, my appliances are scheduled to be here the week before Thanksgiving. Ahh!! That is so exciting. I mean, I’ll have my own appliances! It’s one of the perks of actually moving out on your own (ok fine, down the road a little ways) and being an adult. Or trying to be an adult anyway. Not gonna lie, I still feel like a kid, but hey, that’s good right? And like any cook, or person who loves to cook, or person who cooks for a living, I spent way too much money on my appliances. So yeah, now the budget is a little tight, but I honestly would not have it any other way. I love my appliances. I promise some photos + a real update post soon, which will have a lot more details. I just have to actually get my butt down to the barn with my camera in hand to take some more photos. Plus, I am kind of waiting for things to shape up a little more. Right now it’s looking more like the barn will be done in a year… but, but, but I promise it’s gonna be done in December. Hopefully early December rather than later… fingers crossed.
So this Sunday sauce, let’s talk about it.
It’s obviously a sauce that is perfect for Sunday, but really it’s good any day of the week. It’s a meaty red sauce that I can pretty much guarantee your whole family will enjoy. Mine did and there is nine of us, so I think the odds are in your favor.
It’s really so simple. Just some short ribs cooking all day long in my favorite homemade tomato sauce. I chose short ribs because they are quickly becoming my favorite meat to cook. They turn out perfect every time and they are so low maintenance. All you have to do is make sure you cook them at a low temp for a long time. Simple.
The sauce is made in the crockpot, BUT I do like to sear my short ribs before adding them to the crockpot. I know, such a pain, but I really think that it’s worth it when it comes to short ribs. You don’t have to sear them if you are short on time, but if you can, do it. Then just slowly cook them in the tomato sauce all day long. It really couldn’t be easier.
This sauce is exactly what you are looking for. It’s hearty, but still healthy and wholesome. My favorite way to serve this sauce is over a bed of DeLallo Pasta. Their whole wheats are awesome, but on a Sunday I like to go for the big + eggy pappardelle pasta. It’s always a crowd pleaser.
Then just add some parmesan cheese for topping, plus crusty bread for serving. See, the perfect Sunday dinner.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes and access them on any device! You can keep track of your favorite recipes and generate a shopping list for recipes in your collections.
Already Registered? Login Now
So Sunday dinner?? Please, please, please, say YES!
Hi! Is there a good substitute for the butter? I don’t mix red meat and dairy.
This looks so good will be making it today. Would you say the sauce would freeze well?
Hey Nicole,
Yes totally fine to freeze this sauce! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi, just a follow up to my post about using a blade or chuck roast…I did end up using the roast, I cut it into 6 pieces,browned those and proceeded with the recipe. I sent my hubby to the store for sundried tomatoes, but he brought back sundried tomato pesto! So I used a couple TBL of that, it was amazing! It took the full 8 hours, and it was awesome. I did not add the jalapeno peppers, but added more chili flakes. I got a thick wonderful sauce, don’t skip the browned butter, it adds a complex layer to the recipe…that was pure genius!
Hi Barbie! I am so happy this recipe turned out so amazing for you!! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
I would love to make this recipe, but I’m having a hard time finding short ribs. Can you recommend another cut of beef? I was thinking possibly a blade roast cut into chunks? Many thanks.
Hey Barbie,
You could use chuck roast in place of the short ribs. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks amazing! Iv made so many of your recipes in the last few months each one has been a hit I always try to tag you on Instagram when I do. With this recipe what kind of red wine works best not a red wine drinker also what other cuts could be used instead of ribs?
Hey Rhian,
Thanks for trying so many recipes! I would do a Cabernet Sauvignon. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Are the jalapeño peppers sliced or whole peppers? Fresh or pickled? Seeded or not?
Thank you
Hey Dotty,
I like to use pickled jalapeños, chop them, and whether you want to keep the seeds or not is totally up to you:) I hope you love the recipe, let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Could I make this in a dutch oven in the oven? If so, what temperature should the oven be, and how long would I have the ribs and sauce in the oven?
Hey Beverly,
I would do 325 for at least 3 hours. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
6 tablespoons of butter. No wonder there is an obesity epidemic in the USA
Should I make any adjustments for the recipe if using an instant pot?
Hey Tess,
No adjustments needed:) Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the recipe. Thank you! xTieghan
Hi.. have you ever made this recipe in a pressure cooker (after searing the ribs on the stovetop)? I like to cook baby back ribs in my pressure cooker and thought this recipe might work in one as well (certainly amending cooking time). Advice appreciated!
Hey Anne,
I haven’t tested this but I think it would work well! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Making this tomorrow! Love the idea of picketed jalapeños but want to serve this to my kids (2 and 4), will it make it too spicy for them? Thanks!
Hey Elizabeth,
Since they are pickled they shouldn’t be too spicy but you can always leave those out:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
~ It’s in the crockpot ~ Fingers crossed ~ fresh rigatoni pasta …
~ Looking forward to dinner
Amazing! I hope you love this Jane! xTieghan
Hi there! Is this something that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen?
Hi Victoria! You can prepare the sauce fully, cool it, then freeze for up to 4 months. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Going to make this in a dutch oven..any tips? And possibly a substitute for short ribs? Sometimes my grocery store doesn’t have them! Been dying to try a Sunday sauce with some shredded meat in it!
HI! Just simmer the sauce low and slow on the stop-top over medium low heat. That will work perfectly! If the store does not have short ribs, use a chuck roast. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and happy holidays! xTieghan
This recipe is absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing, Tieghan
Thank you Penny! xTieghan
Tieghan. I cannot begin to tell you how delicious this recipe is. I saw it on the site (and the first cookbook, I think) a while back but was too intimidated by the ingredients list. But this past Sunday was chilly and rainy and I decided I needed a crockpot dinner. I took another look at this recipe and realized I had most everything in the pantry already so decided to give it a try. Boy am I glad I did. It was 100% the perfect dinner and I couldn’t wait to come home Monday night and have another bowl. My husband was blown away as well and was raving all night and again the next night. I can’t wait to make it again for Sunday Dinner with the family! Thank you so much and can’t wait for Super Simple!
Wow that is so amazing! I am so glad you loved this recipe and it turned out perfectly! Thank you Alice! xTieghan