Grandpa Rondina's Meatballs and Sauce

Experience the heartwarming taste of tradition with Grandpa Rondina’s Meatballs and Sauce, a family recipe that delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. These tender, hand-rolled meatballs made from a savory blend of ground beef and pork are elevated with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a touch of garlic for bold, authentic Italian flavor. Simmered to perfection in a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic basil, onions, and a hint of oregano, this hearty dish is ideal for family dinners or special occasions. Serve these juicy meatballs over pasta, or pair them with crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce. With its simple ingredients and slow-cooked goodness, this recipe is a timeless classic that brings everyone to the table. Perfect for those searching for "homemade Italian meatballs" or "traditional meatball sauce recipes," it’s a must-try comfort food favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.75 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large Eggs
• 3 cloves Minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 whole Fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until the ingredients are just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 3

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides. This should take about 6-8 minutes per batch. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet, along with the cup of water, dried oregano, sugar, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Add the meatballs back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Add the fresh basil leaves on top.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cover the skillet. Let the meatballs cook in the sauce for 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen it.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs and sauce hot over cooked pasta or alongside crusty bread. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2198.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2998.2

Total Fat 197.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 897.1mg	0%
Sodium 6108.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 136.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.1g	0%
Total Sugars 52.3g
Protein 181.3g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 1010.8mg	0%
Iron 26.1mg	0%
Potassium 4747.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.3%

Protein: 23.8%

Carbs: 17.9%