Italian Meatballs with Tomato Sauce - Rombauer Vineyards

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1 small celery rib with leaves, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped basil, rosemary, sage, or thyme
• 2 lbs fresh plum or Roma tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped. Or one 28-ounce can whole tomatoes.
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in boiling water until soft, and finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste