Classic Ground Beef Meatballs with Italian Noodles - Light Hill Meats

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended for flavor and tenderness)
• ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs (made from about 2 slices of day-old Italian or white bread, crusts removed and pulsed in a food processor)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)