Grandpa's Homemade Sauce & Meatballs

One of the items on my 101 list was to make my grandfather's/mom's homemade meatballs and sauce recipe.  I am happy to say that over the weekend I achieved this feat!  Now this isn't some easy open the jar of sauce and add a few extra dashes of spice, this is make it in the morning let it cook all day need to stir and let the flavors meld type stuff.  I have assisted my parents in making it before but I've never done it all on my own in our kitchen.

I must start off with disclaimer this is one of those type of recipes where things are simple but don't really follow the recipe and some things are added.  So I apologize for the craziness of it.

Ingredients:
1 head garlic
Onion (I used a yellow)
Celery
2 small cans tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes
To taste: Italian Seasoning, Parsley, Oregano, Mint (I have no clue if my mom has ever actually put mint into the sauce since I've never seen it in the spice cabinet)
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/4 C. bread crumbs
1 T. grated cheese

Sauce:
1.  Saute in olive oil  4-5 cloves pressed garlic, 1/4 C. chopped onion & 1/4 C. chopped celery until transluent  (I'm not big on chunks of either so I really chop mine up super tiny with my Manual Food Processor)

2.  Add cans of tomato paste to pot.  Fill cans with water (getting off all the leftover paste!) and add that.  Add the can of crushed tomatoes.

My hint of the day ... open up all the cans before you start trust me it helps!

3.  Add Italian Seasoning, Parsley, Oregano, Mint to taste and stir so ingredients start to combine.  Let it start to heat at a low heat.

Sauce:
1.  In mixing bowl combine beef, 1 clove pressed garlic, bread crumbs, egg, salt, pepper and cheese.

2.  Mix together all of the ingredients with your hands! Form into about 1 inch balls.  If you like bigger meatballs go ahead and make them bigger it's all up to you!

3.  In a saute pan brown the meatballs on at least two sides (I prefer 3) then put them into the sauce.  You will probably have to do it in batches.

4.  Simmer or cook on low heat for 2-3 hours.  Stir on a semi-frequent basis, stirring gently from the bottom to keep incorporating all the flavors.

I was too slow to get a photo of the finished spaghetti dinner since we devoured it right away!  This is a great recipe for a crowd, just double or triple the amounts of everything.  My mom is a big fan of freezing some of the sauce and meatballs for later in the month.  I hope you enjoy one of our family favorites!