Best 6 Sunday Sauce With Meatballs Recipes

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## Sunday Sauce with Meatballs: A Classic Italian Feast for Any Occasion

Sunday sauce with meatballs is a cornerstone of Italian-American cuisine, a hearty and comforting dish that brings people together around the table. This versatile sauce can be served over pasta, polenta, or even mashed potatoes, while the meatballs add a juicy and flavorful touch. Our collection of recipes offers a variety of takes on this classic dish, ensuring that there's something for every taste and skill level.

From the traditional Italian "Sunday Gravy" to a speedy weeknight version, our recipes cover the full spectrum of Sunday sauce possibilities. Meatball lovers will delight in our selection of recipes featuring classic beef meatballs, turkey meatballs for a healthier option, and even vegetarian meatballs made with lentils or mushrooms. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and cooking times, making it easy for home cooks of all levels to create this delicious dish.

In addition to the main sauce and meatball recipes, we also offer a selection of complementary dishes that will elevate your Sunday sauce experience. Try our homemade pasta recipes, including classic spaghetti and meatballs, or explore our collection of side dishes, such as garlic bread, Caesar salad, and roasted vegetables. With our comprehensive guide to Sunday sauce with meatballs, you'll be able to create a memorable and delicious meal that your family and friends will love.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN MEATBALLS AND SUNDAY SAUCE RECIPE



Italian Meatballs And Sunday Sauce Recipe image

Flavorful and juicy Italian meatballs with garlic, parsley and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese braised in a simple Sunday sauce.

Provided by James

Categories     Main Course

Time 3h30m

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 28 ounce cans San Marzano plum tomatoes (hand crushed or blender pulsed)
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
1/2 cup olive oil
1 medium onion (diced)
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp sugar
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
1 1/2 cups unseasoned breadcrumbs
3/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/2 cup fresh parsley (minced)
2-3 large eggs
3 cloves garlic (paste)
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Steps:

  • Dice 1 onion. In a large bowl hand crush the tomatoes. Alternatively, pulse the tomatoes in a blender for 2-3 seconds.
  • Coat the bottom of a large heavy pot with a 1/2 cup of olive oil and saute the onions on medium-low heat until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the tomato paste to the onions and cook for 5 minutes, spreading the paste around with a wooden spoon.
  • Add in all the hand crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp of kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp of sugar. Stir the sauce until incorporated and cook on a low simmer with the lid left slightly ajar. Stir the sauce every so often (very important!) to avoid sticking. The sauce should cook on low heat for at least 2.5 to 3 hours but longer will be better.
  • Begin by grating 3/4 cup of parmigiano reggiano, mincing a half cup of fresh parsley, and creating garlic paste from 3 garlic cloves.
  • Add the beef and ground pork to a large mixing bowl and season with 2 tsp kosher salt and a 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a small bowl beat 2 eggs and set aside.
  • To the meat, add the breadcrumbs, grated cheese, parsley and garlic paste. Pour the eggs in and mix everything together. If the mixture is too dry, add one more egg to the mix.
  • With wet hands roll approximately 2" size meatballs. The meatballs can be baked on a sheet pan with wire rack at 375f for 25-30 minutes or until brown in the middle of oven.
  • Place the browned meatballs in the sauce and cook for a minimum of 1 hour on low heat to allow the meatballs to absorb the flavor of and braise in the sauce.
  • When the meatballs are finished, serve with choice of pasta, grated cheese and Italian bread. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 824 kcal, Carbohydrate 97 g, Protein 46.3 g, Fat 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Cholesterol 132 mg, Sodium 1255 mg, Fiber 14.6 g, Sugar 29.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SUNDAY SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS



Sunday Sauce with Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

2 (35-ounce) cans plum tomatoes with basil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
1 pound ground sirloin or lean ground beef, pork, turkey, veal, chicken, or any combination
2 eggs
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped, plus 3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound pork spare ribs, trimmed
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste, for sauce and ribs

Steps:

  • Strain the plum tomatoes in a colander to extract the juice, breaking the tomatoes apart with your hands. Discard the pulp and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 4 cloves garlic, the onion, red pepper and black pepper. Saute until the onion is soft and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add juiced tomatoes, red wine, Parmesan and salt. Add the tomato paste and the water and stir together over medium heat. *Cook's Note: Tomato paste should be added after making meatballs and ribs.
  • Put the ground meat in a mixing bowl. Beat the eggs and add them to the meat along with 6 cloves garlic, the bread crumbs, salt, pepper, Parmesan and milk. Mix this all together with your hands. Wet your hands with water and continue to wet them as you pinch meat from the bowl and roll into 2-inch balls. Roll the balls in the flour.
  • Heat 1/2-cup of oil in a large skillet. Add 3 cloves chopped garlic and saute until golden brown. Remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the meatballs and saute over medium-high heat, turning them until they are brown all over.
  • *Cook's Note: As soon as you can pick them up with a fork, they are ready. You don't want them to be well done. If the meatball slides off the fork when you pick it up, it needs to cook a little longer.
  • Cut the ribs apart and remove the membrane. Saute them in 1/2-cup oil until very brown and remove.
  • Return the garlic to the oil and add tomato paste (for the sauce) to the pan; Cook, stirring, over medium heat for about 3 minutes until it softens. Remove from the heat and add to the sauce.
  • Add the meatballs and spareribs to the sauce. Bring to an easy boil, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Add the basil and simmer for 15 minutes more. The spareribs should be very tender, falling off the bone and the meatballs should float in the sauce

SUNDAY SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS



Sunday Sauce with Meatballs image

A meaty sauce with meatballs and pork spareribs.

Provided by Paula Deen

Time 20m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 teaspoon freshly ground, plus more for meatballs black pepper
1 tablespoon plus more, plus more for meatballs salt
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
6 cloves finely chopped, plus 7 garlic cloves, chopped and divided garlic
2 eggs
1 lb or lean ground beef, pork, turkey, veal, chicken or any combination ground sirloin
1 cup water
1/2 cup cut into thin strips fresh basil leaves
1 cup grated, divided Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 medium chopped onion
1 cup plus 1/4 cup for meatballs extra virgin olive oil
2 (35 oz) cans plum tomatoes with basil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup all purpose flour
1 lb trimmed pork spare ribs
1 (6 oz) can for sauce and ribs tomato paste

Steps:

  • Sauce:
  • Strain the plum tomatoes in a colander to extract the juice, breaking the tomatoes apart with your hands. Discard the pulp and set aside.
  • Heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 4 cloves garlic, the onion, red pepper and black pepper. Sauté until the onion is soft and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add juiced tomatoes, red wine, 1/2 cup Parmesan and salt. Add the tomato paste and the water and stir together over medium heat. *Cook's Note: Tomato paste should be added after making meatballs and ribs.
  • Meatballs:
  • Put the ground meat in a mixing bowl. Beat the eggs and add them to the meat along with 6 cloves garlic, the bread crumbs, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup Parmesan and milk. Mix this all together with your hands. Wet your hands with water and continue to wet them as you pinch meat from the bowl and roll into 2-inch balls. Roll the balls in the flour.
  • Heat 1/2 cup of oil in a large skillet. Add 3 cloves chopped garlic and saute until golden brown. Remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the meatballs and sauté over medium-high heat, turning them until they are brown all over.
  • *Cook's Note: As soon as you can pick them up with a fork, they are ready. You don't want them to be well done. If the meatball slides off the fork when you pick it up, it needs to cook a little longer.
  • Ribs:
  • Cut the ribs apart and remove the membrane. Sauté them in 1/2-cup oil until very brown and remove.
  • Return the garlic to the oil and add tomato paste (for the sauce) to the pan; Cook, stirring, over medium heat for about 3 minutes until it softens. Remove from the heat and add to the sauce.
  • Add the meatballs and spareribs to the sauce. Bring to an easy boil, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Add the basil and simmer for 15 minutes more. The spareribs should be very tender, falling off the bone and the meatballs should float in the sauce.

MEATBALLS IN SUNDAY SAUCE



Meatballs in Sunday Sauce image

Provided by Dominick Tesoriero

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

6 ounces ground beef
6 ounces ground pork
6 ounces ground veal
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
8 ounces grated Parmesan
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
10 ounces ricotta
3 large eggs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Canola oil, for frying
Olive oil, for cooking
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1 cup veal or beef stock
Three 14-ounce cans crushed tomato
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 bunch fresh basil, chopped
1 pound penne pasta
1 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • For the meatballs: In a bowl, combine the beef, pork, veal, breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta and eggs and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Whip with a whisk until fluffy.
  • Fold the ricotta mixture into the meat mixture. Form the mixture into golf-size balls. Pour about 2 inches of canola oil into a frying pan and slowly bring the temperature to 350 degrees F. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside. Fry the meatballs until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the lined plate.
  • For the sauce: Coat the bottom of a large saucepan with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is lightly brown, 30 seconds.
  • Deglaze with the marsala, then add the stock and cook, stirring, until reduced by half. Add the tomatoes and sugar and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs and cook, 30 minutes. Add the basil.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the penne. Cook to al dente, about 13 minutes.
  • Add the strained penne to a large saute pan and ladle in some of the sauce, then cook over high heat just long enough to coat the pasta and simmer the sauce. Lower the heat and add the grated Parmesan. Toss in the pan to coat well. Serve with immediately with meatballs.

ITALIAN SUNDAY SAUCE



Italian Sunday Sauce image

Start this sauce on Sunday morning and fill your kitchen with amazing aromas that will have your family asking when dinner's going to be ready! It's full of rich, sweet tomato flavor, subtle herbs, and savory, tender meat that's cooked right in the sauce. Ladle it over your favorite pasta and serve with buttery garlic bread.

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Categories     Tomato Pasta Sauce

Time 5h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 pounds pork neck bones
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 ¼ pounds Italian sausage links
1 ½ cups finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (12 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
7 cups water
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
12 large cooked meatballs

Steps:

  • Sprinkle neck bones on all sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 4 teaspoons oil in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place neck bones in the pot and cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a plate.
  • Add sausage links to the drippings and brown for 3 minutes on each side, adding remaining oil as needed. Set aside with the pork.
  • Add onion to the drippings and season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add tomato puree and crushed tomatoes, than add water and sugar; cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add bay leaf. Rub basil and oregano between your fingers to release the aroma and add to the sauce.
  • Slice sausages into large chunks and return to the pot with the neck bones; bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add meatballs, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 hours.
  • Remove neck bones and bay leaf. Remove any meat remaining on the bones, shred, and return to the sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 569.4 calories, Carbohydrate 28.5 g, Cholesterol 144.6 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 42.8 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 2035 mg

SUNDAY SAUCE WITH BRACIOLE, MEATBALLS, AND SAUSAGE



Sunday Sauce with Braciole, Meatballs, and Sausage image

No crowd to feed? No problem. Sunday Sauce freezes well; just make sure any braciole, meatballs, or sausages are submerged in sauce.

Provided by Dawn Perry

Categories     Freezer Food     Pasta     Beef     Tomato     Parmesan     Meatball     Sausage     Breadcrumbs     Ground Beef     Oregano     Dinner     Potluck

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 35

For the sauce:
2 medium onions, cut into 1" pieces
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
3 (packed) cups basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the breadcrumb mixture:
1 cup finely grated Parmesan
2/3 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup fine breadcrumbs
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
For the braciole:
6 slices beef top round (about 1 1/2 pounds total), pounded 1/4" thick
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
For the meatballs and sausage:
1 pound ground beef chuck (20% fat)
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 sweet Italian sausages
For assembly:
1 pound pasta, such as spaghetti
Kosher salt
Finely grated Parmesan (for serving)
Special Equipment
Butcher's twine

Steps:

  • Make the sauce:
  • Purée onions and garlic in a food processor until very finely chopped.
  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high. Cook onion mixture and 1/2 tsp. salt, stirring often, until liquid is evaporated and bits on bottom of pot are beginning to brown, 10-12 minutes. Add tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until slightly darker in color, about 2 minutes more. Add 1/2 cup water and cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot. Add tomatoes and their juices and 1 cup water; stir to combine. Stir in basil, season with pepper and remaining 1 tsp. salt, and bring to a simmer. Keep warm, stirring occasionally, until ready to use.
  • Make the breadcrumb mixture:
  • Combine cheese, parsley, breadcrumbs, and garlic in a medium bowl.
  • Prepare the braciole:
  • Preheat oven to 300°F. Lay beef flat on a work surface; season with 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 cup breadcrumb mixture. Working one at a time and starting at the short end, roll up beef, then tie in a few places with butcher's twine to secure. Season braciole with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
  • Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Working in batches and adding remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to skillet as needed, cook braciole, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch.
  • Transfer braciole to pot with sauce, cover, and bake 1 1/2 hours. Wipe out skillet and reserve.
  • Prepare the meatballs and sausage:
  • Mix ground beef, eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and remaining 1 1/4 cups breadcrumb mixture with a fork in a medium bowl. Shape into 12 (1 1/2") balls.
  • Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in reserved skillet. Working in batches, cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch; transfer to a plate. Working in batches and adding remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to skillet as needed, cook sausages, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to plate.
  • After braciole has baked 1 1/2 hours, using tongs, gently lower meatballs and sausages into sauce. Cover pot and continue to bake until braciole is very tender and meatballs and sausages are cooked through, 25-30 minutes more.
  • To serve:
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Transfer sausages, meatballs, and braciole to a platter; remove strings from braciole. Spoon some warm sauce over.
  • Drain pasta and toss with as little or as much sauce as you like. Serve topped with Parmesan.
  • Do Ahead
  • Sauce can be made 3 days ahead; cover and chill, or freeze up to 6 months. Braciole, meatballs, and sausages can be made 3 days ahead; submerge in sauce, cover, and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your sauce.
  • Brown the meatballs well before adding them to the sauce. This will help to keep them from falling apart.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 2 hours, or longer if you have time. This will allow the flavors to develop and deepen.
  • Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more garlic, oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, with a side of grated Parmesan cheese.

Conclusion:

This Sunday sauce with meatballs is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a lazy weekend meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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