Bubby’s Saucy Meatballs

Ingredients

(serves 2-3 as a main dish and 4 as a side dish)

Level: Intermediate

The Tomato Sauce

• 2 24 oz jars of peeled whole tomatoes in puree
• 3 Garlic cloves, sliced thinly
• 1/2 Onion, chopped
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 teaspoon of garlic power
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• Fresh basil

The Meatballs

* Pro Tip, keep all the ingredients cold!

• 1 lb ground meat (80-90% beef 10-20% fat)
•  1/4 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped or grated
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup of sweet wine
• 1/4 ketchup
• 1/4 Parmesan cheese + more for topping/garnishing
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley

How TF To Make The sauce

1. In a large bowl, crush the tomatoes by hand. Breaking up the whole tomatoes into smaller chunks
2. Heat a VERY large pot with a lid, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
3. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and cook 2-3 minutes until golden
4. Add shallots and onions, cook 2-3 minutes more until translucent
5. Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 30 more seconds
6. Add crushed tomatoes to cooked onion-garlic combo, bring to a boil.
7. Reduce to a simmer and cook with the lid on for 8 minutes
8. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings (maybe add a little more salt, pepper, or both!)

How TF To Make The Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients: meat, bread crumbs, onion, egg, wine, ketchup, parm, salt, and pepper
3. Using your hands, mix until everything is combined but don’t mix a second more than that. Important not to overwork the meat
4. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Be gentle when forming the meatballs! If meatballs are packed too tightly and compactly, they’ll turn out tough so be sure to roll them loosely.
5. Bake the meatballs for about 10 minutes until browned all over
6. When then come out of the oven, toss them into the sauce.
7. Let meatballs cook through and allow the sauce thicken for an additional 10 minutes.
8. Throw in a handful of fresh basil and garnish with some parmmmm cheez
9. Serve it upppp with some pasta or garlic bread and enjoy!