Homemade sauce and meatball

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

For the Meatballs:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, milk, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano.
   • Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat mixture.
3. Form Meatballs:
   • Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
   • Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

For the Sauce:

1. Heat Olive Oil:
   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté Onion and Garlic:
   • Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
3. Add Tomatoes:
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
4. Add Seasonings:
   • Add water, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
   • Stir to combine.
5. Simmer:
   • Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add Meatballs:
   • Gently add the baked meatballs to the sauce.
   • Cover and let simmer for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7. Serve:
   • If using, stir in the fresh basil just before serving.
   • Serve the meatballs and sauce over your favorite pasta or as a hearty main dish with crusty bread.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 110mg
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 10g

Enjoy this classic homemade sauce and meatballs recipe, perfect for a comforting and delicious meal!