Quick & Simple Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
This Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs features tender, homemade meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, onions, and Italian seasonings, perfect for a comforting pasta dish.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp garlic powder
- 1 beaten egg
For the Sauce:
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- ¾ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, dried parsley, grated Parmesan, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, and beaten egg. Combine well, then shape the mixture into 12 meatballs. Cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook.
Cook the Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
- Stir in the whole peeled tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf. Cover the saucepan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 90 minutes to develop the flavors.
Finish the Sauce
- Add the tomato paste, dried basil, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and the prepared meatballs to the saucepan. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is thickened.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve your delicious spaghetti sauce with meatballs hot over your favorite pasta, and enjoy a hearty, homemade Italian meal!
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