Meatballs cooked in rich tomato sauce

for the meatballs

• 500 g beef mince
• 1 small red onion peeled
• 2 garlic cloves peeled
• 2 large handfuls fresh herbs of your choice I used Italian parsley, basil, thyme and oregano
• 2 lices white bread crusts removed
• 1/4-1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup approximately 50g pecorino, finely grated
• salt & pepper to serve

for the tomato sauce

• 1 large red onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 500 g ripe tomatoes chopped (alternatively use a can of chopped tomatoes)
• 1 cup passata tomato puree
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig
• 1 teaspoon sugar optional
• salt & pepper to taste

to serve

• Bucatini or pasta of your choice, cooked
• grated Pecorino/Parmesan
• fresh basil leaves