Classic Beef Meatball with Tomato Sauce

(WJBK) - Get this recipe courtesy of Chef Joe Nader, executive chef at Ford Field.

Beef Meatball Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs. - Ground beef
2 - Large eggs
½ cup - Bread crumbs
1 oz - Extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup - Grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon - Dry oregano
3 tablespoons - Chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons - Black pepper
2 ½ tablespoons - Kosher salt

Chef's Notes:
1. Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl. Let sit in the refrigerator for 30 to 40 minutes to let flavors come together.
2. Take a small amount and form into a patty to sample, sear in a sauté pan till fully cooked, taste it to ensure that the seasonings are correct.
3. To form the meatballs, take a one-ounce ice cream scoop for a consistent measure. Once you scoop out all the mixture you can roll the balls in your hand to make them uniform in shape.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350°.
5. To cook the meatballs, you will need a large skillet or sauté pan.
6. Place the stove burner on medium to high and add a bit of canola oil.
7. Place meatballs in pan and sear them on all sides to get a nice brown crust, locking in the flavor and moisture.
8. Once all meatballs are seared, place them on a baking dish to finish in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes at 350°.
9. Add the Tomato Sauce (see below) to your meatballs and let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

Classic Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
7 cans - Crushed tomatoes (8oz cans)
1can Tomato paste (8oz can)
1 large - Yellow onions fine dice
½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup - Chopped fresh garlic
2 tablespoons - Dried oregano
2oz - Chopped fresh basil
1 ½ cups - Red wine
2 tablespoons - Sugar
2 ½ tablespoons - Kosher salt
1 ½ tablespoons - Black pepper

Chef's Notes:
1. In a large sauce pan add the olive oil with heat on high.
2. Add the diced onions and cook till lightly browned.
3. Then add the garlic and cook until slightly browned; you do not want to burn your garlic.
4. Once your garlic is browned, add the red wine and reduce until wine is almost evaporated.
5. Next, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs and seasonings.
6. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally.
7. Taste it as it simmers to ensure that the seasoning is to your liking.