Eileen Goldfinger’s meatballs and sauce. Blogfinger photo. Ocean Grove. ©

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Meatballs:

2 lbs ground meat (I used ½ beef and ½ turkey)

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

½ tsp red pepper flakes

½ tsp dry oregano

¼ cup Eggbeaters (or 1 large egg, beaten)

¼ cup water

½ cup panko bread crumbs

4 tbsp grated parmesan reggiano cheese

2 tbsp vegetable oil

In a sauté pan heat oil until it starts to sizzle. Add onion and cook until onion begins to soften. Add garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Do NOT let garlic burn. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl place meat. If you are using more then one type of meat gently mix the meats together. Add onion and garlic to the meat. Add all the other ingredients to the meat and gently combine.  If you mix too vigorously the meatballs will be tough.

Roll the meat into golf ball sized balls and place on an aluminum lined baking tray.

Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Sauce:

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp dry oregano

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4  tsp freshly ground black pepper

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth

1/4 cup dry red wine

1 28 oz jar Rao’s marinara sauce

1 28 oz can San Marzano whole tomatoes, crush with your hands

1 tsp sugar

½ cup fresh basil

½ cup fresh flat leaf Italian parlsey, chopped

In a 5 quart Dutch oven heat oil until it simmers. Add onion and cook until onion wilts. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add Rao’s marinara and San Marzano tomatoes, stir and cook until tomatoes begin to simmer. Add broth and wine, stir together and simmer for 15 minutes. Add all the other ingredients, except the parsley and basil. Stir together and cook for 30 minutes. Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce with the parsley and basil and simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve over pasta of your choice.

This recipe makes approximately 30 meatballs.

DISNEY STUDIO CHORUS.   From Lady and the Tramp  “Bella Notte.”