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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.

📚 Book Promo
Use code HIPPOCRENE40 for 40% off my books here:
👉 https://publisher.indiepubs.com/hippocrene-books

🍅 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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❤

  4. 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."
    ❤❤

  5. 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.

  6. The spices you used (nutmeg, cloves and coriander) seem so unusual for meatballs and tomato sauce 😮 so interesting, I am wondering how it tastes

  7. 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! ☺

  8. 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!

  9. 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.

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