Whether you grew up eating Sunday sauce or gravy, your family will love these traditional Italian meatballs in red sauce – the ultimate comfort food!
I remember my first date with my husband like it was yesterday. It was a snowy, blustery day in downtown Boston. We met on Sunday, December 9th 2001 at the corner of Mass Ave. and Newbury Street. We were both 20 minutes early.
It was 3PM and I had forgotten my scarf so we spent the afternoon strolling through shops, walking several miles around town hopping in and out of stores so that I could find a replacement. Little did I know this would be the last time my future husband would ever act so excited about clothes shopping.
After several hours of wondering through shops, sipping hot cocoa and warming up with clam chowder, it was time to part ways. Me? I was headed to a Britney Spears concert that night with friends. Rich? He had to be home by 6PM sharp for Sunday dinner. I was enamored.
Fourteen years and 2 kids later, Sunday dinner remains a sacred part of our family life and I am ever so grateful we often get to share the tradition with my mom, sisters and their kids.
My Father in Law passed away 6 years ago this month so making Sunday gravy in his honor brings us closer to him. You see, they don’t call it sauce in New England. It’s gravy. Scented with onions, garlic and chock full of tender, light meatballs, it is magic in every bite.
This one is for you, Sal! We love you and miss you.
Your fork is waiting.
Italian Meatballs with Sunday Gravy
Ingredients
Sunday Gravy (Red Sauce)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (grated)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 8 cups whole peeled tomatoes (two 32-ounce cans)
- 4 cups tomato sauce (low sodium)
- 2 pounds sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 cup red wine (optional)
- fresh basil and parsley (to serve)
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground chuck (or veal)
- 3 cloves garlic (grated)
- 2 eggs (lightly whisked)
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup minced parsley
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- cooked pasta of choice (we use DeLallo whole wheat pasta)
Instructions
- To make the sauce, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large stock pot and stir in diced onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and saute onions until translucent, stirring frequently, about 8-9 minutes.
- Stir in whole peeled tomatoes and tomato sauce carefully breaking apart tomatoes with a wooden spoon. (Alternatively, I like to break them apart with scissors in the can before adding.) Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer while you begin working on the meatballs. (You can add red wine and mushrooms at this time if using.)
- For the meatballs, start by pre-heating oven to 350 degrees and lining two or three baking sheets with foil.
- Place all meatball ingredients (sirloin through pepper) in a large bowl and use your hands to mix together until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Using a cookie scoop, start forming mixture into meatballs and line into a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 15 minutes then remove from oven and carefully add to the sauce simmering on the stove. Continue simmering sauce with the meatballs for 30 minutes or longer.
- Serve over pasta of choice.
Notes
This recipe can easily be cut in half.
Nutrition
Want more dinner ideas? Check out my Healthy Entrees board on Pinterest!
Sounds like a yummy recipe….instead of doing the meatballs in the oven, can I instead put them in a crockpot with the sauce and cook it all for a few hours ?
Yes that would definitely work Margie!
I’m all about keeping some traditions. And I love the sound of Sunday gravy. :)
You got that right sista!!
This is exactly why food traditions matter. <3
Right? I totally agree!
That is the cutest story Liz! It’s amazing what a guy will do on a first date… :)
hahaha isn’t it?? :)
I can just smell this simmering away on the stove! We just started our own Sunday Supper tradition and I am definitely adding this recipe to our rotation, pinned!
Aww I’m so glad you started that tradition!!
Now these sound like the perfect Italian meatballs! I love the mushrooms in there and I bet the different meats together makes them so flavorful.
They were so good Julia!!!
Oh yummy!! This looks oh so good!
Thank you Shawnna!
I will never say no to a good ball!! (LOL!) Also, I am making this tonight! Craving comfort food with the cold weather. Also, love stalking you on Snapchat with your super fun dance parties xoxo
hahahah I heart you and your love of balls! I can’t wait until we can snap dance together!
I love family traditions so much. Plus, any tradition that involves this gravy (I feel the need to call it sauce as a dutch west michigan girl but I’m resisting) is a tradition I can get down with!
hahah! Dude I totally called it sauce too!! But I love that you said gravy. :)