Traditional Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Canadian Beef | Canada Beef

Ingredients

• Meatballs 1 cup (250 mL) cubed dried crustless bread (see Tip)
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) milk
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced fresh parsley
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• 1 tsp (5 mL) fresh ground pepper
• 1 lb (500 g) Medium or Lean Ground Beef
• ¾ cup (175 mL) grated Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano Reggiano (about 2½ oz/75 g)
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil (approx)
• Sauce ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
• Half red onion, diced
• ½ tsp (2 mL) fresh ground pepper
• 2 bottles (EACH 680 mL) passata (strained tomatoes) or 5½ cups (1.375 L) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• Garlic Bread 4 slices crusty bread
• ¼ cup (60 mL) garlic butter, at room temperature