Tender Melt in your Mouth Meatballs with Sausage and Tomato Sauce

• 1 FOR MEATBALLS
• 1 1/2 lb meatloaf mix, which is a mix of ground beef,ground pork and ground veal
• 2 tbsp minced onion
• 2 clove minced garlic
• 4 oz italian cheese blend such as romano, parmesan, provolone and asiago, grated
• 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs I use rye bread but any fresh bread crumbs work, but not dry readcrumbs
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• 8 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 tsp dry italian sasoning spice mix
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp hot sauce such as franks brand
• 1 egg,beaten
• 1 FOR SAUCE
• 6 italian sausage, mild or hot or a combination
• 20 slice of pepperoni
• 2 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp dry italian seasoning blend mix
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
• 1/2 tsp black pepper and salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp heavy cream, optinal but adds a richness
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

1. FOR MEATBALLS
2. In a small bowl combine breadcrumbs and cream to soak into a paste while combining remaining meatball ingredients in a large bowl, add soaked breadcrumbs with any remaining liquid if any is there.
3. Mix all ingredients until well combined.
4. Mixture will be soft.
5. chill at least 2 hours before rolling into balls to make it easier to work with.You can do this a day in advance.
6. Preheat oven to 375, spray baking pan lightly with non stick spray.
7. Form meatballs into 11/2 inche balls place on baking pan not touching each other and bake 30 minutes.
8. Add to your gently simmering tomato/sausage sauce for at least 45 minutes
9. FOR SAUCE
10. In a dutch oven, film the bottom with olive oil, add pepperoni and cook until crisp, remove to drain on paper towels.
11. Add sausage ad brown all sides remove to a plate.
12. Add onion and garlic adding a bit more olive oil only if needed, soften, then add all remaining sauce ingredients, simmer partially covered for 1 hour.
13. Add baked meatballs and simmer gently at least 45 more minutes partially covered.
14. What you do with the pepperoni is up to you, we garnish side salads with it!
15. Serve with any pasta or just crusty bread or both!

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Taken from cookpad.com/us/recipes/364876-tender-melt-in-your-mouth-meatballs-with-sausage-and-tomato-sauce (may not work)