SPICY PASTA SAUCE WITH THE BEST MEATBALLS
Serves 8
Great, slightly spicy, very flavorful comfort food! We have
several pasta sauce recipes. They are all very good, just
different. This one is a fresh, light marinara sauce with
a little bite that is delicious all by itself. But add these
very flavorful meatballs for an Italian feast.
SPICY PASTA SAUCE
3 Tbsp olive oil (or less)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp dried marjoram
3/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper
2 28 oz cans Italian-style tomatoes (I use chopped tomatoes)
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 - 2 Tbsp sugar (to taste)
Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion,
garlic, oregano, basil, marjoram and crushed red pepper. Cook
until onion is translucent, stirring occasionally. Add remaining
ingredients, simmer gently, uncovered, until sauce thickens,
breaking up tomatoes with spoon (I use my handheld blending
mixer right in the pan) and stirring occasionally, about 1
hour and 15 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
THE BEST MEATBALLS
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tbsp chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups day old Italian bread (we use homemade)
Up to 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
Start to combine all except water (I use my hands to mix).
Gradually add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should
be very moist but still hold it's shape if rolled into meatballs.
Shape into meatball and put on a cookie sheet. Bake meatballs
in 325 degree oven until cooked through (I use a meat thermometer).
Put into sauce (or serve on the side if some dinner guests
are vegetarians).
