Ingredients
3tbspolive oil
1onion,finely chopped
4garlic cloves,minced
½lbground beef,250 g, mince
½lbground pork,250 g, mince, or beef
2tspItalian seasoning
1tspsalt
½tspblack pepper,cracked
1largeegg
½cupParmigiano-Reggiano,freshly grated, or parmesan cheese
½cupbreadcrumbs
2tbspbasil,fresh, or parsley, finely chopped
½cupmilk,or water
½tspred pepper flakes,crushed, optional, adjust to your preference
28oztomatoes,crushed, 800 g
2tbsptomato paste
1tspItalian seasoning
1tbspbasil,fresh, or parsley, finely chopped
½tspsalt
¼tspblack pepper,cracked
½tspsugar
parsley,fresh, chopped
basil,fresh, chopped
Parmesan cheese,or Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated
Preparation
Heat oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft. Add garlic and sauté for a further minute, until fragrant. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 410 degrees F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine half of the sautéed onion and garlic mixture with the ground meats, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, and basil.
Add half of the milk, mixing a little with your hands, then add the rest of the milk. Mix again until all ingredients are just combined
Scoop out 1-tablespoonful of meat per meatball and roll into balls, placing meatballs on lined baking pan as you go.
Spray generously with cooking oil spray and bake for 12 minutes, or until just cooked though.
Broil on high heat in the last 2 minutes of cooking time to get them crispy and browned.
Return the pan with the remaining onion/garlic mixture to the stove over medium heat. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, herbs, salt, pepper and sugar.
Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Taste test and adjust salt and pepper, to your taste.
Transfer baked meatballs and pan juices into the sauce.
Stir to evenly coat and let simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes to let the sauce infuse into the meat and completely cook the meatballs.
Serve over pasta of choice. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and parmesan cheese.
