Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg
beaten
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- 5 cloves garlic
minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes
28 ounce
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can tomato paste
6 ounce
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- 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.
- 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.
Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
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About this Recipe
Craving the rich, slow-simmered taste of authentic Italian spaghetti sauce paired with perfectly tender, homemade meatballs? This recipe brings that comforting, restaurant-quality experience right into your kitchen, delivering a truly heartwarming meal perfect for any occasion.What sets this Italian spaghetti sauce apart is its commitment to flavor development through slow cooking over low heat. This patient process allows the whole peeled tomatoes to break down gently, concentrating their natural sweetness and acidity into an incredibly deep, intense tomato flavor that simply can't be rushed. When combined with our expertly seasoned homemade meatballs, made with lean ground beef and fresh bread crumbs, you'll discover a harmonious balance that makes every spoonful sing.Get ready for a truly satisfying and robust culinary experience. You'll enjoy a sauce that’s wonderfully rich and nuanced, with the natural sweetness of tomatoes beautifully balanced by savory garlic, dried basil, and bay leaf. The meatballs are tender and juicy, infused with fragrant parsley and Parmesan, melting in your mouth alongside the deeply flavorful sauce. While the overall cooking time is a leisurely two hours, much of it is passive simmering, allowing you to focus on other tasks while the magic happens. The preparation is approachable, leading to a hearty and comforting Italian classic that truly tastes like it's been tended to all day.This Italian spaghetti sauce is designed for classic flavor, but you can tailor it slightly to your taste. The recipe calls for white sugar to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes, which you can adjust slightly to achieve your preferred sweetness. The robust flavor is built upon whole peeled tomatoes, ensuring a thick and satisfying consistency for your sauce.This hearty Italian spaghetti sauce with meatballs is the quintessential dish for a comforting family dinner or a relaxed weekend supper. Serve it generously over your favorite pasta—think spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni—perhaps with a garnish of extra grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread to sop up every last drop of that incredible sauce.