Italian Meatballs

You can substitute just beef, dried oregano, pre-grated cheese food, prepared bread crumbs and/or sauce out of a jar, but it won't be the same result.  You do need a food processor to get a soft, cake-like consistancy for your meatballs. You can do it manually, but its difficult to get the vegetables and bread crumb cut really small.  I usually have a quart or two of sauce I pre-made in the freezer.  Its very simple to make, it just takes non-active simmering time, but I guarantee it is not only cheaper than anything out of a jar, you will never get this taste out of a jar.  This recipe will make about 3 dozen meatballs, so I use about 12-15 for 4 servings, and freeze the rest in a gallon freezer bag for future use.

Meatballs:

3 lbs ground beef and pork (ideally, ground together)
1 large sweet onion
2 medium sized carrots
4 stalks celery
6 cloves garlic
2 tbs fresh oregano
1/4 pound reggiana parmegeana cheese
3 jumbo eggs (4 if another size)
3 cups fresh breadcrumbs
2 Tbs olive oil
Salt & Pepper
1 quart marinara sauce

• If you run these ingredients through the food processor in this order, you won't have to wash it bowl in between steps.
• If you have not already made the bread crumbs, take a loaf of good quality country style bread, cut it into chunks and run it through a food processor until you have very fine bread crumbs.  Freeze what you don't use for this recipe.  Put the bread crumbs into a large bowl.
• Cut the cheese into 1 inch pieces, and run through the food processor until you have finely grated cheese.  Add to the bread crumbs.
• Scrub or peel the carrots, take the ends off, cut into 1 inch pieces and put into the food processor bowl with the knife.
• Add the peeled garlic cloves
• Cut the onion into large chunks and add to the bowl
• Cut the celery into large chunks and add to the bowl
• Add the fresh oregano leaves to the bowl
• Run the knife until you have very small, very minced vegetables.