Homemade Italian Meatballs

Name: Homemade Italian Meatballs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground chuck (80% but no more than 85%); 2 lbs. ground pork; 1 T kosher salt; 3 large eggs; 1/2 cup panko; 6 slices fresh bread (made into crumbs in food processor or blender); 3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (no green can please!); 2 T chopped fresh parsley; 1 tsp dried oregano; ¼ tsp nutmeg; 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tsp from a bottle ); 1 ½ cup warm tap water; 1 recipe homemade sauce (see below); 3 T olive oil; 2 large onions (chopped); 1 ¼ cup red wine; 1 T chopped garlic; 6 oz can tomato paste; 2 cans WHOLE San Marzano tomatoes (pureed in blender (no blender? use tomato puree but whole is preferred for freshness and taste)); 1 ½ t ground black pepper; 2 tsp sugar; ½ cup water (if needed); crushed red pepper (optional)