In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. prep

Add the breadcrumb mixture, eggs, milk, Italian sausage, and ground beef into a large bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined, but avoid overmixing. mix

Let the meatball mixture rest for 5 minutes so the breadcrumbs can soften. prep

Shape the mixture into about 32 meatballs, each approximately 2 tablespoon in size. assemble

Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. prep

Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. bake

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are lightly browned. If not using sauce, add an additional 3-5 minutes to the bake time, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. bake

Transfer the meatballs to a pot of marinara sauce (if desired) and let them simmer for 5 more minutes. finish

Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add half of the meatballs. Cook them, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F). finish

Transfer the meatballs to marinara sauce (optional) and simmer for a few minutes before serving. finish

Dice the onion and mince the garlic. In a sauce pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. prep

Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, until it darkens slightly. This step helps mellow the acidity. prep

Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, brown sugar (optional), and salt. Stir well and scrape up any bits stuck to the pot. mix

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. finish

After 30 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it still tastes a little sharp, add a touch more sugar or let it simmer longer. finish

Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for a few more minutes to ensure they are fully cooked (internal temp of 160°F). finish