Slow Meatballs and Sauce

I am not Italian, not one tiny bit, but I LOVE meatballs!  And sauce too.  I have made lots of meatballs in an attempt to get them just right, tender, flavorful ones that hold their shape.  The last time I made them I had intended to write a post, but they weren’t that good, certainly not good enough for you. This time though I’ve done it!  These meatballs, and the accompanying sauce are not only really good, but easy to make.  These are great with pasta or on a long roll (hero, sub, hoagie, grinder or whatever you like to call it).  I make mine with a cookie scoop.  I scoop them all out, then with damp hands shape them.  I like to bake them first, but you can just put them right into the sauce to cook.

Meatballs

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Ingredients

• 1.5lb meatball/meatloaf mix (most stores sell these; 1/3 chuck, 1/3 ground veal, 1/3 ground pork)
• 3/4 cups Italian Bread Crumbs
• 3/4 cups Parmiagiano Reggiano (Grated)
• 1/4 cup Chopped parsley ((not 1/4 cup parsley, chopped))
• 2 Eggs (Lightly Beaten)
• 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
• 1/4 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Combine all ingredients and gently mix with your hands, making sure they are well blended

Step 2

Dampen hands and form into balls about 1-2" in diameter, if you have a cookie scoop that's ideal, because it will keep the size of the meatballs uniform. Place meatballs on a parchment or foil lined cookie sheet, and bake at 375 for 15 minutes

Step 3

Once meatballs are baked put into sauce and continue cooking for another hour at low temperature

Tomato Sauce for Meatballs

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Ingredients

• 1-28oz Can of San Marzano Diced Tomatoes (Drained, liquid reserved)
• 1-35oz Can of Tomato Puree
• 1 Medium Onion (about 8 Oz.)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3 cloves Garlic (Smashed)

Directions

Step 1

Cut onion into large pieces and pulse in food processor until finely chopped, do not over-process, or you will end up with liquid

Step 2

Heat oil in a large, heavy pot, add onion and turn heat to medium, stir until onions begin to soften

Step 3

Add Garlic to pot and stir about one more minute

Step 4

Add tomaato paste and stir well

Step 5

Add liquid from tomatoes and stir well, when paste incorporated into liquid add tomatoes and tomato puree

Step 6

Add sugar, salt and crushed pepper

Step 7

Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer for one hour

Step 8

Add Meatballs and cook on low heat for another hour