T's Spaghetti Sauce (Gravy) with Tender Meatballs and Italian Sausage

For the gravy:

2 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil

1 large and 1 small onion, chopped fine

2 cloves garlic, grated

2 large cans of San Marzano tomatoes, mixed with a hand blender

1 small can of tomato paste

2 - 3 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 - 1 tablespoons dried oregano or to taste

1 tablespoon dried basil or to taste

pinch red pepper flakes

¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

1/2 teaspoon Penzeys Lemon Pepper

¼ cup fresh basil

2 pieces of Parmesan cheese rinds, optional

Put the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy pot and sauté onion until very tender. Add garlic and cook for just a minute.  You do not want to brown the garlic it will become bitter; then stir in all the canned tomato products, brown sugar, spices, and fresh basil. After the gravy starts boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and cover the pan.  You can adjust herbs to your desired amounts! Be sure to cook on a LOW simmer or the gravy will burn.

 For the meatballs:

1 pound ground chicken

1 package of Sweet Italian Sausage, not sausage links

1/2 - 1 cup homemade bread crumbs or Panko Crumbs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon dried basil

Pinch oregano

¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Dash cayenne pepper

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Mix all together well, but do not overwork the meatballs. If to dry a little more milk, if to wet add a little more bread crumbs.  Roll into 1 ½ inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with non-stick foil.  Bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and place meatballs on paper towels.  Then using a large spoon transfer the meatballs into your spaghetti sauce, and let sauce simmer for at least 6 hours.  I usually make mine in the morning and let it simmer most of the day.

This freezes very well!

* I am allergic to beef, so I make all my recipes with ground chicken or ground sausage instead of ground beef.  No one has ever noticed these did not have beef in them they only see that they are very tender!