Beef and Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, 15% fat or less
• 3 links hot Turkey Italian Sausage, about 12 oz.
• 1/3 cup 100% whole wheat bread crumbs
• 2 T flax seed meal
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• Salt-pepper to taste
• Additional Parmesan for sprinkling over meatballs
• 2 cans diced tomatoes. pureed with food processor or immersion blender
• 1 T minced garlic
• 2 tsp. dried basil
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. Take the ground beef and sausage out of the refrigerator. Slip the sausage from its casing, and set the meats aside until they lose their chill. Heat the oven to 425 F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, plus the flax seed meal if you are using it, with 1/3 cup very hot water. After a few minutes, once the liquid has soaked in, stir in the eggs, the teaspoon of garlic, the grated Parmesan, and salt and pepper.
3. Add the ground beef and sausage to the bowl. With your hands, gently work the meat into the breadcrumb mixture until everything is evenly combined.
4. Coat a glass casserole dish or roasting pan with nonstick spray. Scoop the meatball mixture with a tablespoon, then roll each portion between your palms to shape it. Place the meatballs in the dish with a little room around each one.
5. Blend the canned tomatoes until smooth using a food processor or immersion blender. Transfer the tomatoes to a bowl, then mix in the minced garlic, herbs, and salt.
6. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs, then scatter the remaining Parmesan over the top. Bake for 35 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the meatballs feel firm. Serve hot, with more Parmesan sprinkled over the meatballs.