Aunt Rita's Pasta Sauce with Meatballs

1. 1

   Meatballs: Mix together, form 3/4-inch balls.

2. 2

   If too dry, add more crackers or bread crumbs.

3. 3

   In your sauce pot, cover bottom with olive oil and heat (5-6/med).

4. 4

   When hot, place meatballs in and immediately shake pot so they roll around continuously, you'll see them get brown evenly and this keeps their round shape.

5. 5

   Never stop shaking/rolling them around, you can rest for 5 seconds, but shake again or they'll stick and break apart in the sauce.

6. 6

   When good and brown, almost cooked, remove from pot.

7. 7

   Sauce: Add oil, meats, garlic and onion to pan.

8. 8

   Mix, breaking up meat.

9. 9

   Once meat is browned add remaining ingredients.

10. 10

    Mix well, then set meatballs on top of the sauce, cover them with a bit of sauce with a spoon.

11. 11

    (Do not push them into sauce, or they'll got to the bottom and burn and stick during boiling).

12. 12

    Cook at a rolling boil for 10 minutes.

13. 13

    Turn to low, let simmer for two hours, stirring every half an hour.

14. 14

    After that time, if too thick, add 1/4 cup of water, if too thin, add 1 tsp.

15. 15

    of tomato paste at a time.

16. 16

    Then let simmer and blend another 10 minutes.

17. 17

    Serve or freeze.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.