Recipe: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Italian)

MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE

"This recipe will make about 25 large meatballs, 50 small meatballs for appetizers, and can be used to make meatloaf. The small meatballs are always a hit at a party."

FOR THE MEATBALLS:
1 pound ground round*
1/2 pound Italian sausage, hot or mild**
2 eggs
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch of salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl; thoroughly mix ingredients - I use my hands. Form meatballs flat because they expand. Brown in skillet until thoroughly cooked.

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE:
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
1 tomato paste can water
Pinch of salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, chopped

Mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt and pepper, sugar, basil and bay leaves together in a large saucepan. Drop the browned meatballs into the sauce.

Brown onion in skillet and add to sauce. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.

*Always use a leaner cut of meat when adding pork to the recipe. Use ground round or sirloin to lower fat content.

**1 tablespoon olive oil can be used in place of sausage.

Makes about 1 dozen cannoli
Source: Recipes My Nonna Taught Me by Fran Hall