. I finally thought of what to write on here after reading an article on AOL. There was an spot about "secret" recipes. They had a recipe for meatballs and after reading it I thought to myself, Oh my, no wonder I never order Italian when I go out! So my profile goes something like this:

Italian Meat Ball & Sauce Recipe

Meat balls:


1 pound of ground chuck

1 large egg

1 cup of grated Romano cheese

1 teaspoon of dry oregano

1/3 teaspoon of dry basil

1 heaping teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)

1/3 level teaspoon salt + or - according to taste

4 to 5 slices of white or Italian bread. Trim crust off if you like, easier to mix later.


completely soak bread slices with water then squeeze as much water out as possible. Don't use milk, these are Italian meat balls!

add oregano and basil to palm of hand and firmly crush until powdered

mix all ingredients in large bowl until consistent color throughout

bake in oven for 15-20 minutes @ 325 degrees

makes 8-10 2.5 inch meatballs



Italian sauce:


1/3 cup olive oil

1 can of plain crushed tomatoes

1 very small can of tomato paste (optional)

1 teaspoon garlic (add more if you love garlic)

2/3 teaspoon oregano

2/3 teaspoon basil

1/4 teaspoon sugar

no salt, add heavy tablespoon of salt to boiling water when cooking pasta. I don't rinse pasta but you can if you want, you will lose flavor if you do.


open the can of crushed tomatoes

add half of olive oil to preheated 2 quart pan

sprinkle 2/3 of pre measured garlic onto hot oil.

add full can of crushed tomatoes slowly to cool hot oil and stop garlic from getting too browned.
I like to keep heat on medium low and smell the garlic as it gets browner then add sauce at point I desire.
pay close attention, you can burn garlic and olive oil, if you do, use new oil and garlic.

add the rest of ingredients including the remainder of powdered garlic and olive oil. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes.

When meat balls are done add to sauce and let simmer for half hour

Hope you enjoy

it wouldn't be me making you dinner....lol...at least not the 1st or second date