BIG-BATCH MEATBALLS AND RED SAUCE

Big-Batch Meatballs and Red Sauce image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 to 9 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup olive oil
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
Handful torn fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt
2 slices stale white sandwich bread
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 pounds ground pork
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 large eggs, beaten
1 small onion, grated
1/2 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
Kosher salt
Large pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Olive oil, for the baking sheets

Steps:

For the sauce: Swirl the oil and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the garlic is just lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1 cup water, and bring to a high simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the basil and 2 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Tear the bread into very small pieces and put it in a small bowl. Pour the milk over the bread, and let sit until the bread is soft, about 5 minutes.
Combine the bread mixture with the beef, pork, Parmesan, eggs, onions, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl, and thoroughly mix with your hands. Divide the mixture evenly into 36 mounds, and roll each into a ball.
Brush 2 rimmed baking sheets generously with oil. Evenly divide the meatballs between the sheets, and roll them around to coat in oil. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, rotating the sheets halfway through if needed, 15 to 20 minutes.
Transfer the meatballs to the warm sauce, and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Let the meatballs and sauce cool completely, divide evenly among four 1-quart containers and freeze for up to 1 month.
To reheat: Let a container of the meatballs and sauce thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer them to a microwave-safe container, and microwave in 2-minute increments, gently stirring after each, until the meatballs are heated through.