Tasty Tuesday - Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

Now that it's September, the weather will be getting cooler, the kids will be returning to school, and warm, scrumptious meals will entice our taste buds.

Here's a recipe I love to make that I found from a Taste of Home magazine. Personally, I like to make the sauce, divide it and use it at later dates for serving over spaghetti, making baked ziti or meatball sandwiches. Making the meatballs are, of course, optional. 

Enjoy!

Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

Ingredients for the Sauce:

1 large onion, finely chopped
2 - 4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cans (10 3/4 oz each) of tomato puree or diced tomatoes (*note, if you use diced, put them through the food processor or mash them before using in the recipe)
1 can (12 oz) tomato paste
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar

Directions for Sauce:

In a Dutch oven, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the remainder of the ingredients, mix well. Simmer, uncovered, for 3 hours. 

*If you are adding the meatballs to this sauce, follow the directions below and add the meatballs when the sauce (is at it's midway point) has cooked for 1 1/2 hours. 


Ingredients for Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
1/4 lb ground pork
3/4 cup finely crushed saltine crackers
4 eggs, beaten
2 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano

Directions for Meatballs

Combine beef, pork and cracker crumbs in a large bowl. Add the eggs, garlic, Parmesan cheese and oregano. Mix well. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls. Brown in a skillet.


Yummy!

Ayla 

Ayla Ruse
~Ensnare yourself in love
http://www.aylaruse.com