Mama's Tomato Gravy

Rating: 4.55 stars
49 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 36
  • 4 star values: 8
  • 3 star values: 2
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 1

This dish is truly a taste of Louisiana Cajun Country. I mean where folks are already sitting at the table drinking coffee and eating breakfast by the time the rooster crows. Mama made countless batches of biscuits and tomato gravy in her lifetime. I'm sure she learned to make this from her mother: Carmen Inez Shirley. This is the dish that puts my feet back under my mama's table. Serve with love over hot buttermilk biscuits along with bacon or sausage for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

By Melissa Dommert

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Recipe Summary

prep:
5 mins
cook:
10 mins
total:
15 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
2 cups
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

8
Original recipe yields 8 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Heat bacon drippings in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir the flour into the bacon drippings and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Slowly pour the water into the flour mixture while whisking. Whisk in the tomato paste. Cook the mixture until it begins to thicken. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thick, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
86 calories; protein 0.8g; carbohydrates 4.2g; fat 7.5g; cholesterol 7.1mg; sodium 96mg. Full Nutrition
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Reviews (44)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

Judy
Rating: 5 stars
08/29/2008
As I read the reviews of this simple recipe, my eyes filled with tears. My mother (Alabama born and bred) also made this and I've served it to my family for many years. Reading your memories made me miss her so much. I also use tomato sauce instead of paste and a can of petite diced tomatoes at the end. Read More
Helpful
(98)

Most helpful critical review

Adeeann
Rating: 2 stars
12/07/2009
I am giving this recipe two stars because it was easy to make. My family did not like this at all. The tomato gravy I grew up eating was a beef based or cream based gravy with tomatoes chopped up in it. For my family the tomato flavor was too over powering. I much prefer the beef based gravy with chopped tomatoes and biscuits. I made this recipe as written and I will not make it again. Read More
Helpful
(3)
49 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 36
  • 4 star values: 8
  • 3 star values: 2
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Judy
Rating: 5 stars
08/29/2008
As I read the reviews of this simple recipe, my eyes filled with tears. My mother (Alabama born and bred) also made this and I've served it to my family for many years. Reading your memories made me miss her so much. I also use tomato sauce instead of paste and a can of petite diced tomatoes at the end. Read More
Helpful
(98)
GIGI70056
Rating: 5 stars
08/24/2007
also Louisiana grown... we too loved mama's tomato gravy... only difference was mama also added a can of tomatoes close to the end... as it was starting to thicken.... hummmm now i am so hungry for this... also... for supper she would make this and throw in shrimp... a quick fake etoofay.... lol... good...thanks for the memories... gonna go make some now Read More
Helpful
(72)
MICHELE135
Rating: 5 stars
06/16/2008
Love this recipe!! I grew up in TN my Grandma would make this with biscuit and she made it often... Read More
Helpful
(37)
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CookingMama
Rating: 4 stars
05/12/2009
It was good it was easy but it was not MY mama's tomato gravy. Don't get me wrong this is good. But when it comes to southern childhood favorites you want it to taste the way you remeber. I don't think she every used paste just a can of whole tomatoes smushed up. Read More
Helpful
(24)
GySgtsWife
Rating: 5 stars
05/13/2008
I've made Tomato Gravy in the past but never had actually seen a recipe for it. I didn't have tomato paste so used tomato sauce instead (just used a tad more flour to make sure it would thicken) and once the gravy started thickening I added some Petite diced tomatoes. We use this over rice... never had over biscuits. Read More
Helpful
(24)
jenlawson84
Rating: 5 stars
12/18/2007
So Yummy - I grew up on this recipe. I also add the canned whole tomatoes with the paste to make it chunky and serve it over white rice and pork chops. This is one of my cajun faves! Read More
Helpful
(20)
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Sara Sunshine Holloway
Rating: 5 stars
09/14/2007
Oh My Goodness! I am so excited about this recipe. I am currently a Seattle-ite but originally from Mississippi. My great great Aunt Karesta-Jane used to maked this for us and it was so good. I made a batch and it brought back so many wonderful memories. I did add some sausage to it b/c that's the way I remember it but it was perfect. Thanks so much! Read More
Helpful
(15)
AmyButler1
Rating: 5 stars
04/20/2009
Since before we were married my DH asked me to make Tomato Gravy...I though ugh yuck. How little did I know and how wonderful is this recipe! Thanks for posting it. Read More
Helpful
(11)
Melissa Dommert
Rating: 5 stars
08/18/2011
I prepared Mama's tomato gravy over biscuits this past week and it seems that I never get tired of it. It never fails to bring memories of my beautiful Mama to my heart and mind. If you tried this recipe using butter and liked it...please try it again using the bacon drippings. This ingredient really helps complete this dish! Read More
Helpful
(11)
Adeeann
Rating: 2 stars
12/07/2009
I am giving this recipe two stars because it was easy to make. My family did not like this at all. The tomato gravy I grew up eating was a beef based or cream based gravy with tomatoes chopped up in it. For my family the tomato flavor was too over powering. I much prefer the beef based gravy with chopped tomatoes and biscuits. I made this recipe as written and I will not make it again. Read More
Helpful
(3)
More Reviews
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