Spaghetti and Meatballs

I got these pretty much perfect recipes from Pioneer Woman.

Meatballs:

¾ pounds Ground Beef

¾ pounds Ground Pork

3 cloves Garlic, Minced

¾ cups Fine Bread Crumbs

2 whole Eggs

¾ cups Freshly Grated Parmesan

¼ cups Flat-leaf Parsley, Minced

¼ teaspoons Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Splash Of Milk

½ cups Olive Oil

Sauce:

1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced

3 cloves Garlic, Minced

1 whole (28-ounce) Can Whole Tomatoes

1 whole 28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes

½ cups White Or Red Wine (optional)

¼ teaspoons Salt

1 teaspoon Sugar

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

¼ cups Flat-leaf Parsley, Minced

8 whole Fresh Basil Leaves, Chiffonade (optional)

2 pounds Spaghetti, Cooked To Al Dente

Preparation Instructions

To make the meatballs, combine meat, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, and a splash of milk in a mixing bowl. Mix together well with hands. Roll into 25 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to firm up.

To brown the meatballs, heat olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs 8 at a time, turning to brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel after each batch. Set meatballs aside.

In the same pot, add the onions and garlic and cook for a few minutes, or until translucent. Pour in whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and wine, if using. Add salt, pepper, sugar, and parsley. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Add meatballs to pot and stir in gently. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring very gently a couple of times during the simmer.

Just before serving, stir in basil if using.

Serve over cooked spaghetti. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan.

NOTES:

• Extra parsley in the meatballs would've been good. (But they were also nice as is.)
• The recipe made 44 meatballs formed with my smaller #60 food scoop.
• I didn't use wine in the sauce.
• I used two cans of crushed tomatoes because of *someone's* aversion to visible tomato parts. >:-(