Italian Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce

If you are in the mood for some Italian comfort food or cooking for company, this is your meal!  This is the first meatball recipe I have made with both ground beef and italian sausage and now I don't think I'll make them any other way.  The homemade tomato sauce is so worth the effort but if you don't have the time, I'm sure these would still taste great with your favorite italian sauce.  I served these with a side of broccoli but I bet they would taste awesome over some roasted spaghetti squash!

TIME SAVING TIP:  Prepare the meatballs the night before and put the sauce and meatballs in a crock pot the next day on low for 6-8 hours.


Italian Meatballs with Homemade Tomato Sauce
Adapted from Cindy's Table
Prep Time: Approximately 5 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 50+ minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients for Meatballs:

• 1 3/4 lb grass-fed beef
• 1 lb sweet or hot italian sausage, casing removed (or ground pork but it won't be as tasty)
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 4 cloves of garlic minced
• 3 tsp italian seasoning
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 6 cups of your favorite organic tomato sauce or use homemade recipe below

Meatball Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2.    Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil (You may need 2 baking sheets).
3.    Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix by hand.
4.    Form mixture into golf ball size balls and place on baking sheet.
5.    Place in the oven for 20 minutes and begin preparing your tomato sauce.

Ingredients for Homemade Tomato Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 can organic tomato sauce (15 oz)
• 1 28 oz can organic crushed tomatoes or 2 cans organic diced tomatoes (15 oz each)
• 1 can organic tomato paste and hot water
• 2 tsp italian seasoning
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Homemade Tomato Sauce Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onions and cook for 5-10 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
2.    Add the tomato sauce,  crushed or diced tomatoes, seasonings and bring to a boil.
3.    Add the tomato paste then fill the can with hot water and add.  Mix well then cover and reduce to a simmer.
4.    When meatballs are done, add them to the pot and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
5. .  Serve over roasted spaghetti squash if desired.