Note: This post for Meatballs in Tomato Sauce is sponsored by Moyer Beef. All opinions are mine alone.
Sunday night in my house is pasta night, which almost always means pasta with a meaty tomato sauce. I tend to make Meatballs in Tomato Sauce in batches about once a month and freeze it for future Sundays.
It’s funny, I make this Meatballs in Tomato Sauce recipe all the time and yet
- I had no clue what measurements I was putting into my sauce, and
- never posted the recipe to my blog!
Continuing my partnership with Moyer Beef, I decided it was about darn time I actually figured out what exactly I make every month and to share it on here.
These meatballs are half ground beef and half hot Italian sausage. It adds a touch of heat to the overall sauce without being actually spicy.
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
- 1 lb 80% lean ground beef (I used Moyer Beef’s 81% lean ground beef chuck)
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage removed from its casing
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Tomato Sauce:
- 1 lb beef short ribs (1-2 pieces)
- 1 lb 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 (28 oz) cans strained tomatoes (can substitute tomato puree)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste