Today I am sharing one of our family’s recipes with you. My husband’s Nono’s Homemade Pasta Sauce and Meatballs are so delicious and makes the perfect Sunday dinner. There is just nothing like the smell of sauce simmering in a pot on the stove all day long. The aroma gives a warm feeling and brings me back to my childhood when my family would gather around and enjoy Sunday dinners together. I remember my Mom making sauce and us kids sneaking into the kitchen and dipping bread into it to sneak a taste. It was so good! I sure do miss those days.

My husband’s Dad and his family migrated over here from an island called Favignana off the coast of Sicily when he was about 16 years old. He came from a family of 6 kids so dinners had to be cheap and plentiful to feed them all. Often times that meal had to go on into leftovers for the next day.

Back then this recipe consisted of fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil picked from their garden. Not everyone has their own garden to utilize and fresh produce available to hand pick. The recipe has been modified using canned tomatoes. They not only save you time, but they taste just as good!

This recipe uses both ground meat and Italian sausage, so it’s packed full of flavor!

A bowl of homemade meatballs and pasta sauce.

What you’ll need for the Meatballs

Ground Beef – Use any ground beef that you like! I tend to use a low fat version.
Eggs – This helps bind and hold the meatballs together.
Bread Crumbs – You can use regular or Italian flavored.
Sugar – Adds just a hint of sweetness to the meatballs
Parmesan cheese – Fresh is always better, but you can use the other stuff too!
Italian parsley – Fresh,chopped
Garlic – I use fresh chopped garlic, but you can use the minced one from the jar.
Salt
A drop of milk

How to make Homemade Meatballs

Mix all ingredients in a bowl before you add the meat. Once mixed, add the meat. Using your hands, mash together until well combined. Roll meatballs using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop and place on a plate lined with wax paper. Place meatballs into the refrigerator and let them set while you prepare the sauce.

Ingredients for Homemade Pasta Sauce

Italian Sausage – You can used mild or hot. I like to use the mild sausage.
Ground Meat – Use any ground beef that you like. I use a lower fat version.
Onion– I use white or yellow onion. You can use a sweet one too!
Garlic – I use fresh, chopped garlic. You can use minced from the jar or whatever your preference is.
Italian parsley – Fresh, chopped
Crushed tomatoes – Italian or regular.
Stewed tomato – You can also use the Italian flavored one.
Tomato paste – I prefer to use the regular one.
Red wine – I use either Merlot or Cabernet
Fresh basil

Homemade Meatballs

Print Recipe

Servings 8

Ingredients

2 lbs Ground Meat
2 eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup Sugar
1/3 Cup parmesan cheese, fresh and finely shredded
1/2 bundle italian parsely, finely chopped
6 – 7 cloves garlic, chopped
salt to taste
1 drop milk

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl before you add the meat. Once mixed add meat and mash together with your hands until well combined. Line a plate with wax paper. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop make your meatballs and place on the wax paper. Place into the refrigerator while you prepare your sauce.

Homeade pasta sauce and meatballs cooking in a pot on the stove.

How to make the Sauce

Over medium heat, add heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 -7 minutes. Add sliced Italian sausage and ground meat and cook until brown. Salt and pepper to taste.

Next, you will add chopped parsley and garlic. Turn heat to low once the garlic has browned a bit. Add tomato paste and stir about 5 minutes until well combined. Add chopped basil, stewed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, wine and a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle a thin layer of oregano on top and bring to a high boil. Turn heat down and allow to simmer for 45 minutes.

Grab the meatballs from the refrigerator and slowly add them to the sauce. Simmer 1 more hour, allowing the meatballs to fully cook. Enjoy!