Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

1 pound lean ground beef

1 cup fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1 egg, beaten

¾ cup chopped onion

5 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup olive oil

2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 bay leaf

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

2 basil leaves, torn, plus additional for sprinkling on top

Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 clove garlic, and beaten egg in a large bowl. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store covered in refrigerator until needed.

Cook and stir onion, 5 cloves garlic, and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until onions are translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf. Cover with lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 60 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, basil, and meatballs. Simmer on low heat until meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes.