Italian Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup finely chopped onions
• 3/4 cup finely chopped carrots
• 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 28-oz can crushed or whole tomatoes, including the juice, or 1 3/4 pound of fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2/3 cup milk (whole or 2 percent)
• 3 slices of white bread, crusts removed (about 3 ounces)
• 1 pound ground beef (at least 16 percent fat)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt (or 2 teaspoons of kosher salt)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or marjoram
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• About 1 cup flour, for dusting
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups (24 ounces) tomato sauce (recipe follows, or use already prepared)