Handmade Italian Meatballs

By kimvess

Ground beef, sausage, and just the right seasonings make these meatballs a soon-to-be family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 recipe Mamas Marinara (see below)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 12 ounces bulk Italian sausage, hot or sweet
• 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Details

Servings 16
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 30mins
Adapted from recipe.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Prepare Mama's Marinara. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, sausage, bread crumbs, milk, egg, parsley, cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined. Form mixture into balls, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

2. In a large skillet, cook the meatballs in hot olive oil over medium heat for 10 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally.

3. Bring Mama's Marinara to boiling. Gently place meatballs into sauce. Stir gently to coat with sauce. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the meatballs registers 160 degree F. Makes about 16 meatballs.

Mama's Marinara
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup water
1 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
10 fresh basil leaves, torn
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
3 bay leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Handmade Italian Meatballs

Hot cooked spaghetti

Finely shredded Parmesan cheese


Directions
1. In 4-quart Dutch oven cook onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in hot oil for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, wine, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, sugar, crushed red pepper (if desired), and bay leaves.
3. Bring sauce to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes or until desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, prepare Handmade Italian Meatballs. Serve sauce with meatballs over spaghetti. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.