Time For a Little Comfort Food...

Every time I see spaghetti and meatballs, I think about that scene from Lady and the Tramp :) For when you're in the mood for a good home cooked meal - keep this recipe around and give your taste buds a treat.

Italian Meatballs & Sauce

Meatballs
12 ounces lean ground beef

4 ounces ground pork
1 cup preseasoned Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten

Sauce

3/4 cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

In a large bowl, combine ground meat, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 meatballs. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer for another 30 minutes.