Italian Style Meatballs

Tender Italian Style Meatballs are tasty and versatile. Super easy to make. You can adjust the size to suit your needs. Make them smaller to serve as appetizers or larger to go into a sauce or on a chewy Italian roll with lots of melted mozzarella cheese!

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 Pound hamburger (I like to use ground sirloin)
1 Teaspoon kosher salt
2 Teaspoons black pepper
2 Teaspoons garlic powder
1 Teaspoon oregano
1 egg
¾ Cup bread crumbs (Progresso Italian Style adds even more flavor)
½ Cup grated parmesan
¼ Cup (probably less!) tomato sauce (Open a 15-ounce can. What you don't use for the meatballs will end up going into the sauce.)

Sauce

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1-2 Cloves garlic (minced)
1- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (I prefer San Marzano brand)
1- 15-ounce can tomato sauce (I just use what's left in the can after making the meatballs)
1 Teaspoon basil
1 Teaspoon oregano
kosher salt to taste (The amount will depend on how much salt is in the cans of tomatoes)
black pepper to taste

Note

The recipe for these Italian Style Meatballs comes from my mom. She always made the best! But she never measured anything -- just a shake here, a pour there. Back in the 70's -- at the insistence of my relatives -- I sat down with my mom one day and recorded her recipe.

Enjoy! - The Recipe Wench

Directions

Step 1
Crumble the hamburger into a medium bowl Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregono Using your hands (Yes! You gotta give these meatballs the personal touch!), mix in the egg Mix in the bread crumbs and parmesan Add as much tomato sauce as you need (it'll probably be less than ¼ cup) to bring the hamburger mixture to a soft but firm consistency
Step 2
Form meat into meatballs slightly smaller than a ping pong ball. (You can make them even smaller or larger, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time.) Place in an ovenproof dish and bake in 350ºF oven for 20-30 minutes. I prefer to use my cast iron skillet for this. Depending on what dish you use, you may want to spray with non-stick spray first to make clean-up easier.
Step 3
While meatballs are cooking, make the sauce! Add oil to pan, saute garlic briefly (making sure not to burn) Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano and basil Bring to a simmer. Taste. Add salt and pepper to taste Allow to simmer until meatballs are finished -- or longer if you've got time!