Wegman's Sunday Sauce

This recipe is delicious -you do need time because its a 6 hour cooking time. There is also a slow cooker recipe on there website if you want to go that route. I halved the recipe because of what I had on hand since we were mid snow storm. Also I did not have boneless country ribs so those were omitted but did have sausages and made the meatballs. See separate recipe.

1/4 cup Wegmans Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 pkg (about 1 1/2 lbs) Wegmans Boneless Country Ribs
1 pkg (about 1 1/4 lbs) Italian Classics Hot Italian Pork Sausage
Salt and pepper to taste
2 pkgs (7 oz each) Food You Feel Good About Chopped Onions
20 cloves Food You Feel Good About Cleaned & Cut Peeled Garlic, minced
2 cans (6 oz each) Wegmans Tomato Paste
4 cups water
6 cans (28 oz each) Italian Classics Coarse Ground Tomatoes
4 Tbsp dried basil leaves
14 Homemade Meatballs (see related recipe)

1. Heat oil in large braising pan on MED-HIGH until oil faintly smokes. Season ribs and sausage with salt and pepper. Add ribs and sausage to pan; cook, turning to brown all sides, about 2-5 min. Transfer meats to stockpot; set aside. 
     
2. Reduce heat to LOW. Add onions and garlic to pan; cook, stirring, 10 min, until soft but not browned. Raise heat to MED. Add tomato paste; cook, stirring, 3-4 min, until paste begins to brown. Add water; bring to a simmer, stirring to loosen browned bits on bottom of pan.
    
3. Transfer liquid mixture to stockpot. Add canned tomatoes and basil; stir to combine. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to LOW. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 hours. Add cooked meatballs; cook, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. 
    
4. Carefully transfer meats to clean serving platter; carve into manageable pieces. Transfer sauce to serving bowl.