Today we’re making everybody’s favorite: meatballs—simple, comforting, and full of flavor. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce, this is the ultimate comfort meal, perfect for Sunday sauce or anytime you’re craving something warm, familiar, and delicious.
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🍅 Sauce Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 (28-ounce) cans pureed tomatoes
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of ground cardamom (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
🍽️ Meatballs
½ pound each beef, pork, and veal, chopped
1 cup dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage (optional)
1 cup wine
Filming and Video Editing by Francesca Sacco
MY NEWEST BOOK: Sicilian Feasts https://www.amazon.com/Sicilian-Feasts-Illustrated-Authentic-Hippocrene/dp/0781814332
The Cooking of Emilia-Romagna: Culinary Treasures of Northern Italy https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cooking-of-emilia-romagna-giovanna-lamarca/1135644595
Language and Travel Guide to Sicily https://www.amazon.com/Language-Travel-Sicily-English-Italian/dp/078181149X
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book vendors.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/giovannabellialamarca/

25 Comments
OH, YAY!!!!! I have missed you and your family SOOOO MUCH!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!!! xoxoxoxo
Too much water in the cans. It makes the sauce to thin. I use about 1/4 can of water each just to clean out the can, and the wine is also added.
What a wonderful, early Christmas gift this was. A new video from you, is a real treat!
I want to wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy new year.
Best regards, from two Norwegian fans!
Giovanna, omygoodness, I was thinking about you and your video popped up❤ So glad to see you. Can't wait take these delicious looking meatballs ❤
Does the 2nd Cookbook have your biscotti recipe included❤ Olease let me know Or is it in your 1st Cookbook? Merry Christmas 2025❤
who's that asian person sneaking behind?
Enjoy the fat❤ yes maam.
Goosebumps!!!
Hi Giovanna,
I’ve been thinking about you! It’s so good to see you looking healthy and wonderful.
You look amazing!
I’m going to enjoy this delicious meal today."
❤❤
Yum…that looks so delicious and it seems not that hard to make.
Very interesting choice of spices. This must have very Sicilian roots 😊 My Sicilian mum would put parsley, basilico and a pinch of mint in her meatballs and sauce.
The sweetest thing I’ve seen since my nonna cooked me meatballs when I was 12 years old. ❤
I just discovered you and your channel! Can’t wait to try your recipe! Thank you!!!❤
Nice to see you, was missing you!! Buon Natale🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
We were worried. Glad you are back.
How wonderful to see you! We know the meatballs will be excellent!! ❤
I’ve truly enjoyed this. Thank you. Of course my grandmother did this. I used to watch her all the time.
The spices you used (nutmeg, cloves and coriander) seem so unusual for meatballs and tomato sauce 😮 so interesting, I am wondering how it tastes
I’m going to make this soon. Thank you!!!
What happens with the sausages? Do you eat them too?
The meatballs ,always the meatballs . Keep the bosses happy .
I thought you’re making pumpkin pie with all those spices that’s not how my grandma did it.
I agree the Korean meet in the sauce the better.
I just came across this video and your site. Oh my gosh, you two are adorable! I'm definitely going to make these meatballs and the sausage looks delicious! ☺
Aloha from beautiful Hawaii.
I am new to your channel, but enjoyed your homemade meatball recipe.
I love meatballs!
Mahalo for sharing and happy holidays.
Ciao for now!
I made this recipe yesterday exactly you're example, it was very nice except for one thing meatballs with too hard, I'm glad I tried them first, I soaked some bread in milk squeeze it out and added they were a lot better and more soft.