Soooo Good Marinara and Meatballs

The rich flavors in this simple, yet delicious, pasta sauce meld together as it simmers.

Serve over your choice of pasta. You can also use these in meat ball subs, with provolone cheese. These are also excellent for lunch.

Prep Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 1 hr. 25 mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

2 large onion, finely chopped

4 large cloves garlic, minced

1 carrot, finely chopped

2 stalk celery, finely chopped

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes or 1 each of

15-ounce can tomato sauce and diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 cup water

1 cup dry red wine

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

10 fresh basil leaves, torn

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning to taste

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

3 bay leaves

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 recipe Italian Meatballs (see Recipe Below)

Hot cooked spaghetti

Directions

1 In 4-quart Dutch oven cook onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in hot oil for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

2 Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste water wine parsley basil, Italian seasoning sugar crushed red pepper (if desired), and bay leaves.

3 Bring sauce to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes or until desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves. Please season to taste with salt and pepper.

4 Meanwhile, while the sauce is cooking, prepare Italian Meatballs. Serve sauce with meatballs over your choice of pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. This makes about 8 servings. Freezes well.

Italian Meatballs

Ground beef, sausage, and just the right seasonings make these meatballs a soon-to-be family favorite.

Prep Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 1 hr. 10 mins

Servings: about 16 meatballs

Ingredients

1 recipe Marinara Sauce (see Recipe Above)

1 pound ground beef

12 ounces bulk Italian sausage, hot or sweet

1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup mil

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1 Prepare marinara. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, sausage, bread crumbs, milk, egg, parsley, cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined. Form mixture into balls, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

2 In a large skillet, cook the meatballs in hot olive oil over medium heat for 10 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally.

3 Bring Marinara to boiling. Gently place meatballs into sauce. Stir gently to coat with sauce. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the meatballs registers 160 degree F. This makes about 16 meatballs.

Serving Suggestions:

 or