Char's Italian Meatball Sandwiches

Mom made these for the family at Christmastime.  She got the recipe from Aunt Marge.  I made it for friends last night and the loved it!

Basic Italian Sauce:

1 18-oz can tomato paste

4 cups water

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon dried sweet basil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

In large saucepan, mix tomato paste with water.  Add sugar, salt, pepper, basil, onion, and garlic.  Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour (longer is better).  Stir frequently.

Meatballs:

1 and 1/2 pound ground beef

1 and 1/2 pound Italian sausage (hot)

4 egs

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons water

1 cup cracker crumbs

6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

In large bowel, mix together all ingredients.  Form into meatballs about 2 inches in diameter.  Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until done.  ( A lot of grease cooked out of the meatballs, so I think it would be better to put racks on the cookie sheets and cook the meatballs on top of those so it all falls away)

Steak buns lightly toasted.

Toppings: 

thinly sliced green pepper

thinly sliced onion

shredded Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

Place cooked meatballs on the toasted steak buns, pour the Italian sauce over them.  Smother with sauteed green peppers and onions and Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!