Italian-American Sunday Supper
Italian-American Sunday Supper is a cherished weekly tradition centered around a hearty, multi-course meal, typically featuring a main pasta dish like baked ziti or spaghetti with meatballs, accompanied by a large salad and garlic bread. It's a communal feast rooted in the immigrant experience, emphasizing family, abundance, and comforting flavors.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This meal is generally high in carbohydrates from pasta and fat from cheese and meat, while also providing a good amount of protein. Key nutrients include calcium, iron, and B vitamins, with a typical full serving ranging from 800 to 1200 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 950 kcal |
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbs | 98 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 1450 mg |
| Calcium | 320 mg |
| Iron | 5.5 mg |
| Potassium | 680 mg |
| Vitamin A | 450 IU |
| Vitamin C | 12 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.1 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 410 mg |
| Zinc | 4.8 mg |
Per 1 plate (approx. 400 g) including pasta, sauce, meat, and cheese · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The tradition embodies the 'Sunday Gravy' concept, where a rich, slow-simmered tomato-meat sauce is the heart of the meal, symbolizing care and time investment. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense meal designed for shared energy and social bonding rather than strict dietary balance.
