Buca Di Beppo Meatballs and Meatball Sauce

pollyw's Note:

I loved the cooking classes that they used to have. I hope they start them up again.. This is from their cook-book I bought. Serve with Buca di Beppo Meatball Sauce !!! Yum

• Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4-6

Yield: 40.0 meatballs

Meatballs

• 2 ½ lbs ground beef
• ½ cup romano cheese , grated
• ¾ cup dry Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup fresh garlic , chopped

Meatball Sauce

• 6 garlic , gloves sliced thin
• 1 large Spanish onion , diced into 1/4 in pieces
• 1 celery , chopped
• 1 carrot , chopped
• ¼ cup olive oil , plus
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley , chopped
• 2 (28 ounce) cans plum tomatoes with juice
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Meatballs:.
2. In a large bowl mix all ingredients together.
3. Shape into meatballs the size of a golf ball ( makes about 40 meatballs).
4. Set aside and let rest for 1 hour.
5. Cook the meatballs in the Meatball Sauce :.
6. In a large pan saute in olive oil, garlic,onion,celery and carrot until translucent.
7. Add parsley.
8. Break the tomatoes with your hands and add with juice to the pan.
9. Add salt and pepper.
10. Bring to boil then lower heat to simmer and add your meatballs.
11. Simmer for about 45 minutes.
12. Remove meatballs to platter and serve sauce with your favorite pasta !

Reviews

[Maito]

This makes a great pasta sauce, though it wasn't quite the same as the restaurant's. We thought adding a little lemon and parmesan cheese brought it closer (we also used less salt and added fresh parsley over the top). This recipe could easily feed 12 very hungry diners. Thanks for posting this recipe, I really appreciate it!