Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

By dlwelsh

Ingredients

• MEATBALLS
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (may want to double!)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 egg, beaten
• SAUCE
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 5 cloves garlic, minced (may want to add more!)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes or diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons salt (decrease!)
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil (may want to add more!)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from allrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.

SUGGESTION: Bake meatballs in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes; Turn over and bake for 5 more minutes. Then, add to sauce.

2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.