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I just found my Marinara sauce and meatball recipe as I was browsing through my family shoe box of recipes. These are my go-to family dinners I had to throw together on weeknights so my family of five can eat. Often times my kids would request this weekly, it became a favorite of ours. This is my take on Greek meatballs with spaghetti. The marinara sauce is quick and uses basic pantry ingredients. I make a large batch of meatballs so they may last a couple of days for snacking on, or for meatball sandwiches. Serve this with a green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. This sauce can be used for many other recipes that call for a red sauce. Top this sauce for eggplant parmesan, use it in a lasagna dish, or as a dip for sandwiches. I also have a Greek Meatball recipe for a change of
pace, where I serve a Greek Yogurt Sauce, to complete the dish.

Meatball Recipe: I would start with the meatballs. Place them in the oven and then begin the sauce.
Makes 25-28 meatballs

Marinara Sauce and Meatballs

This is one of my favorite family recipes served with a green salad and garlic bread.

Course dinner

Cuisine California Greek

Keyword Greek, groundbeef, meatballs, pasta sauce

Author Mary Papoulias-Platis

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1/4 cup freshly chopped Italian parsley
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients except the beef in a large bowl.
Add the ground beef and gently mix with your hands.
Shape into balls and place on baking sheet.
I bake mine on a rack, but not necessary. Line the pan with a silpat or foil.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Saute the garlic in a saucepan with the olive oil until they are slightly golden.

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes. That’s it.

Note: It can be doubled, tripled…When a recipe calls for Italian bottled sauce I use this recipe for stuffed ricotta pasta shells, lasagna, eggplant parmesan! Keep these ingredients on hand in your pantry for a last minute recipe. Serve this sauce with the pasta ( spaghetti, angel hair pasta, noodles) meatballs and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Marinara Sauce

Course Main or Side Dish

Cuisine California Greek

Keyword marinara, pasta sauce, tomato sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 minced garlic cloves
1 28oz. can tomato puree
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon freshly minced parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound of pasta of your choice, cooked

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic, saute for 1-2 minutes. Do not brown.
Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.
This sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
While the sauce is cooking boil up your pasta.

Enjoy our family recipes!