Learn to Make Sauce Like an Italian Nonna

There is nothing like a pot of homemade sauce simmering on the stovetop filling your home with its warm aroma. Its like love that you can smell. As a child I would look forward to my mother’s pot of sauce she made just about every Sunday. My father, who loved my mother’s cooking above everyone else, would be so impatient that he would spend the day slowing stealing meatballs from the sauce when my mother wasn’t looking. No matter how many meatballs she made only a few made it to dinner time. It is one of our best memories of him.

So many of my friends have asked me for my recipe for sauce. They are typically shocked at how easy it actually is to make. The added bonus is once you have mastered a pot of sauce everything else you make which is sauce related (Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan, Zitti, etc.) gets exponentially better! It is also super easy and impressive to make for holidays and large family gatherings. You will look like a culinary genius and perhaps even an honorary Italian (if you are not already) as my husband is.

Follow the instructions below step by step and the result will blow your mind...

Ingredients for the Sauce (this recipe makes a large serving, freeze extra for easy future meals)

- 1 medium onion,chopped
- 3 - 4 cloves of garlic, minced (a garlic press does this job nicely)
- 3 or 4 (28oz) cans of crushed tomatoes
- 1 small can tomato paste
- Basil, Oregano, Bay Leaves, Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (this helps neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes)

Directions for the Sauce

1. heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium heat
2. add onion and stir for about 2 minutes or until onions turn clear
3. add garlic and cook for an additional two minutes
4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, spices and sugar
5. Simmer the sauce on low for at least 3 hours. The longer the sauce is simmering the better it will taste. Be sure to stir occasionally to reduce the chances of burning the bottom of the sauce.

Ingredients for the Italian Meatballs

- 1 pound ground chop meat
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 - 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup of grated cheese (this is the secret ingredient which makes for super yummy meatballs)
- basil, salt and pepper to taste

Directions for the Meatballs

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well
2. I also add one or two spoonfuls of the sauce to kick the flavor...this also gets that great tomato taste throughout the meatball
3. After the ingredients are mixed you will need to see how well the mixture will stick...if the mixture is too wet slowly add more dry ingredients back in (ex. breadcrumbs) if the mixture is too dry add another egg and mix
4. Create meatballs from the mixture and spread them evenly apart on a baking pan. Cook meatballs for about 15 - 20 minutes on 350. Remember, you are not completely cooking the meatball in the oven. You only want to brown the outside to keep it from breaking apart. )If you would prefer to fry your meatballs you can skip this step and brown on the stove top)
5. Place the meatballs into the sauce to finish cooking...
6. Never hesitate to make more meatballs...they are great for meatball sandwiches the next night!

It is that simple. Remember that cooking is unique to the person so feel free to experiment. Please leave me a comment if you make any of these recipes!

Stay tuned as I will share great recipes for your sauce leftovers in the coming days...

Happy Cooking all my Italians and Honorary Italians,

- Jeannie Sargent