For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal for the meatballs. If you don't have pork neck bones, you can substitute with a ham hock. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference for heat. Serve with a generous grating of Pecorino Romano cheese and a side of crusty Italian bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Family Sicilian Meatballs and Sauce
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PREP TIME40 mins
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COOK TIME4 hrs 15 mins
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TOTAL TIME4 hrs 55 mins
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SERVING24 People
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VIEWS100
An authentic taste of Sicily, passed down through generations, culminating in a rich, savory sauce and tender meatballs. This hearty dish is perfect for a family gathering or a cozy night in. Freeze any leftovers for a taste of home whenever you crave it.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate59 g
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Cholesterol105 mg
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Fiber5 g
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Protein31 g
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Saturated Fat13 g
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Sodium922 mg
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Sugar6 g
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Fat34 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
StepTo make the meatballs: Combine bread and milk in a medium bowl. Mix in ground beef, eggs, Romano cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper; form into meatballs and place into the freezer to firm up. (Prep time: 20 minutes)
02
StepTo make the sauce: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and 1 sausage link; cook about 3 minutes more. (Prep time: 8 minutes)
03
StepMeanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown beef chunks and pork neck bones; set aside. (Prep time: 15 minutes)
04
StepWhen onions and garlic are done, turn heat down to low. Add tomato paste and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the browned beef and pork, crushed tomatoes, wine, bay leaves, cinnamon, parsley, basil, and salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 3 to 4 hours. (Cook time: 3-4 hours)
05
StepHeat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet; Brown meatballs and remaining sausage links in batches. Add to sauce and simmer for 1 hour. (Cook time: 1 hour)
06
StepWhen sauce is nearly ready, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. (Cook time: 10 minutes)
07
StepRemove pork neck bones from the sauce; discard. Serve meatballs and sauce over hot pasta.
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RECIPE REVIEWS
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Please Rate
Mariela Gislason
May 21, 2025I added a little bit of red pepper flakes for some heat, and it was delicious!
Karlee Bayer
Mar 20, 2025The sauce takes a while to cook, but it's totally worth it. The flavors are incredible.
Alvena Macejkovic
Feb 1, 2025This is now my go-to meatball recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Nolan Doyle
Jan 22, 2025I've made a lot of meatball recipes, but this one is by far the best. The combination of beef, sausage, and pork bones creates a truly unique flavor profile.
Cameron Shanahan
Dec 21, 2024I made this for a family gathering, and everyone raved about it. It's definitely a crowd-pleaser!
Tobin Huelsoreilly
Oct 13, 2024Freezing the meatballs beforehand is a great tip. They didn't fall apart at all.
Maia Koss
Jun 30, 2024This recipe is amazing! The sauce is so rich and flavorful, and the meatballs are perfectly tender.
Elwin Schmeler
Jun 11, 2024The instructions were easy to follow, and the dish turned out beautifully. I'll definitely be making this again.
Winifred Balistreri
Jun 4, 2024The family Sicilian Meatballs and Sauce recipe was a triumph! My family adored the depth of flavor in the sauce, and the meatballs were perfectly tender. The only change I made was adding a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. A definite keeper!