Nonnas Traditional Meatballs Recipes

NONNA'S SAUCE AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix pork and beef in a bowl with your hands, then add garlic. Beat eggs and add to mixture. Add breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley and mix well. Scoop into meatballs and bake on a baking sheet for 30 minutes.
• Simmer meatballs in Meat Sauce for 2 hours.
• Brown beef short rib in olive oil in a saucepan on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes each side. Add garlic and onions and brown over low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste plus 1 paste can water, then the tomato sauce plus 1 sauce can water, and stir until blended. Add pepper flakes, sugar, salt, pepper and bay leaf and bring to bubbling. Turn temperature to low and simmer, covered, for 8 hours. Remove beef short rib and bay leaf before serving.

NONA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and form into 2-inch balls. (Makes about 18 meatballs.) Heat a large pan coated with oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until well browned. Reserve.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, parsley and garlic, and saute until tender. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, tomato sauce, and water and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat; add the meatballs and simmer, uncovered 2 to 3 hours.

NONA'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the beef, breadcrumbs, basil, garlic, Pecorino Romano, salt, pepper, eggs and onion in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients until well incorporated. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• Shape the meatballs with your hands into rounds approximately 2 1/2 ounces each. Coat each meatball with olive oil, then place on a sheet pan. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.