Family Sicilian Meatballs and Sauce

Sicilian meatballs are simmered in a rich and hearty meaty sauce that's made from scratch and served over pasta for a crowd-pleasing Italian meal.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 4 hr 55 mins
• Calories: 669 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 4 bay leaves
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pinch dried parsley
• 4 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 3 slices white bread, torn into pieces
• 4 onion, chopped
• 12 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage
• 3 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 3 (16 ounce) packages dry pasta
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 cup red wine
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 0.5 cup grated Romano cheese
• 0.25 teaspoon dried parsley
• 0.75 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 0.5 pound pork neck bones
• 0.25 cup milk or water
• 1.5 pounds cubed beef brisket

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown beef chunks and pork neck bones; set aside.

Step 2

When onions and garlic are done, turn heat down to low. Add tomato paste and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the browned beef and pork, crushed tomatoes, wine, bay leaves, cinnamon, parsley, basil, and salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 3

To make the meatballs: Combine bread and milk in a medium bowl. Mix in ground beef, eggs, Romano cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper; form into meatballs and place into the freezer to firm up.

Step 4

To make the sauce: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and 1 sausage link; cook about 3 minutes more.

Step 5

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet; Brown meatballs and remaining sausage links in batches. Add to sauce and simmer for 1 hour.

Step 6

When sauce is nearly ready, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Step 7

Remove pork neck bones from the sauce; discard. Serve meatballs and sauce over hot pasta.