Tomato Sauce With Sausage And Meat Balls
A hearty tomato sauce with savory sausage and tender meatballs, infused with herbs and garlic, perfect for family dinners and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste ⓘ
- 4 cups water ⓘ
- 1 to 2 teaspoons oregano ⓘ
- 1 to 2 teaspoons basil ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage ⓘ
- 1 1/2 pounds hamburger ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1 cup bread crumbs ⓘ
Instructions
- Put tomato paste in a large pot and add water slowly, mixing with a whisk or spoon.
- Add oregano, basil, and minced garlic.
- Bring to a boil and lower heat to a slow boil.
- Add whole or cut-up onion and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the sauce while cooking. If you don't have fresh herbs, dried oregano and basil work well too; just use half the amount. To enhance the meatballs, mix in some grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh parsley. For a quicker version, substitute the sausage and hamburger with pre-cooked Italian sausage or meatballs.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty tomato sauce over your favorite pasta for a comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with homemade deep dish pizza or as a base for lasagna roll-ups. Add a simple side salad or garlic bread to complete the meal. Sprinkle fresh basil on top before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe bags or containers, where it can last for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tomato Sauce With Sausage And Meat Balls contains roughly 573 calories, with 39g protein, 80g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (158% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (106% of the Daily Value), and calcium (98% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2172mg per serving (94% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of meat for this recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute the sweet Italian sausage with spicy sausage for a kick or use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. Mixing different meats can also add depth to the flavor of the sauce.
How can I make this sauce vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use lentils or finely chopped mushrooms as a substitute. You can also add more vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini for added texture and flavor while keeping the base of tomato paste and herbs.
What can I serve this sauce with?
This sauce is versatile and can be served over spaghetti, penne, or any pasta of your choice. It also works well as a topping for baked potatoes, polenta, or as a dipping sauce for garlic bread. For a Mediterranean twist, serve it with rosemary peas and pasta.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).