In a large saucepan sautee the onion over medium-high heat until it is translucent. About 3-5 minutes.

Add in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook 5 minutes.

Add the vodka and cook for 7 minutes.

While that cooks out the alcohol from the vodka, start to prep your meatballs.

In a large mixing bowl combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs.

Mix with your hands or a fork.

Heat a separate skillet over medium high heat and scoop the meatballs in using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop.

By the time you get all of those in the skillet, return to your sauce and add the JOI (or vegan cream cheese or heavy cream)

Stir to combine and reduce the heat.

Return to your meatball skillet and flip the meatballs over to brown the other side.

Once both sides are brown (about 2-3 minutes each side) place the meatballs in the sauce to finish cooking.

Cover the pot with the sauce and meatballs and let cook until the meatballs are finished.

Serve over pasta and garnish with fresh basil!