SPICY ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Spicy Italian Meatballs image

Provided by Ann McCue

Number Of Ingredients 15

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1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 c fine dry bread crumbs (i used half plain and half italian)
1/4 c onion, finely chopped
1/4 c bottled pepperoncini salad peppers, finely chopped
1 tsp italian seasoning, crushed
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb bulk italian sausage (i used jimmy deans regular)
SAUCE
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/2 c finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

Steps:

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine egg, bread crumbs,1/4 cup onion, pepperoncini peppers, Italian seasoning and 1 clove garlic. mix well. add the beef and sausage, mix until combined. shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Drain well.
2. meanwhile in a 4-5 quart slow cooker combine crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup onion, the vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper. Mix. Add baked meatballs to mixture and mix gently. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours. Skim fat from sauce before serving