I was raised in an Italian family (both sides). On Sunday we always had pasta with tomato sauce and some kind of meat. This past Sunday I made Eddie and I this dinner and a Tomato Focaccia. The Focaccia recipe I got was from a cooking class in Masseria we attended in Italy.

For the sauce you will need: A can or two of Crushed Tomatoes depending on how many people you are serving; about 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; a small pile of tomato paste (I use the tube); about 2 teaspoons olive oil; a couple of fresh basil leaves; and salt and pepper to taste.

For the Meatballs you will need: 1/2 lb Ground beef and 1/2 lb ground pork; about 1 cup or so of seasoned Italian bread crumbs or 1/2 to 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese; salt and pepper to taste.

First I start the sauce by adding the olive oil in a dutch oven on medium high heat. I add the chopped onions, then the minced garlic. While they are browning, I add the tomato paste and mix it all up. I add the can(s) of tomatoes. I usually have to take the pot off the heat to prevent the tomatoes from splattering all over my stove, then add it back to the heat. I add salt and pepper and stir. Heat to a boil, then lower the heat to low and cover. If I plan on baking my meatballs I preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

While the sauce is simmering, I make my meatballs. First, I line a sheet pan or two with foil or parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, I add the ground meat, bread crumbs or ricotta, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and mix it all together. Then I make the round meatballs by hand. The sizes vary from time to time, but you’ll want to make sure they are all about the same size in each batch for even cooking. Sometimes I want large meatballs and sometimes smaller is ok, your decision. I put about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet and pan fry the meatballs. Do NOT crowd the pan or you’ll get steamed meatballs. Once browned, place each meatball in the pot of simmering tomato sauce and cover. Instead of pan frying your meatballs, you may place the meatballs on the sheet pan and put it in the preheated oven. When the meatballs are browned, I gently put them into the simmering tomato sauce.

For the Rigatoni, I boil water in a large pot and wait for it to boil. Once the water is boiling, I add the pasta and cook, stir occasionally, and cook until al dente’. Add some sauce to the pasta. I added a spoonful of Ricotta cheese on top.

I paired this with One Hope Cabernet wine. This bottle helped fund ABA therapy for Autistic Children.