Savory Beef and Italian Sausage Meatballs in Homemade Marinara

1. Prepare the Onion Mixture

Start by heating the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and cook them, stirring occasionally, until they turn a rich golden brown, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes. This step is crucial as browning the onions adds a deep, savory flavor to your sauce. Once the onions are browned, add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 30 seconds to a minute, just until the garlic becomes fragrant.

2. Make the Marinara Sauce

Stir in the tomato paste with the onion mixture and cook it for about a minute, allowing the tomato paste to deepen in color and flavor. Pour in the red wine and cook for another 2 minutes, letting it reduce slightly. Then add the crushed tomatoes and water, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook gently for 45 to 60 minutes. This simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken. Towards the end of the simmering time, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Season the sauce with salt to taste and add a teaspoon or two of sugar if needed to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

3. Prepare the Meatballs

While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 475°F and adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position. In a large bowl, mash together the bread and milk until it forms a smooth paste. Add the reserved onion mixture from earlier, the Italian sausage, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, eggs, minced garlic, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly. Finally, add the ground chuck and knead the mixture with your hands until it is well combined and uniform.

4. Form and Bake the Meatballs

Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, each about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until they are well-browned. Baking the meatballs ensures that they cook evenly and develop a nice crust.

5. Simmer the Meatballs in the Marinara

Once the meatballs are browned, transfer them to the Dutch oven with the marinara sauce. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for about 15 minutes, allowing them to absorb the flavors of the marinara and ensuring they are cooked through. Your meatballs should be fully coated in the rich, savory sauce when they are ready to serve.