Whether it is a dinner party appetizer, game day snack, or a main meal dinner, a meatball dish will never disappoint anyone. They are easy to whip up, never boring, and loved by everyone. The flavor options are endless, too. You have Italian meatballs, Swedish meatballs, meatball subs, and so many more.
If you are looking for a meatball recipe, this list is for you. There are so many meatball recipes that you can easily find one you like suited to your cooking level.
Meatballs are synonymous with spaghetti. This timeless Italian-American dish is so well-loved that it has been gracing family tables since forever. Spaghetti and meatballs are perfect for a family dinner.
You can make meatballs from scratch or use frozen ones. Spruce it up with a rich, creamy, and savory marinara sauce. No one will know you used pre-packaged goods. It is easy to whip up and clean up because everything is cooked in one pot.
You probably had your first Swedish meatball at Ikea. Ikea’s Swedish meatballs are a bestseller and have a cult following and rightfully so. These meatballs are incredibly soft, made extra juicy with a combination of both pork and beef and soaked bread instead of breadcrumbs, lightly spiced with a touch of nutmeg and allspice.
You can have the meatballs as is or with gravy made with butter, beef broth/stock, flour and heavy cream.
Sandwiches are all an all-day affair. You can have them for breakfast, snack, lunch, or dinner and a meatball sub is easily a no-brainer option. They are messy and so hearty, you might need a nap after but every bite of the sandwich is gratifying.
Juicy Italian meatball or any meatball of your preference is cooked in a delicious and savory marinara sauce loaded on a hoagie roll and topped with provolone cheese slices. For melted cheesy goodness, bake the subs in the oven for a few minutes.
If you are not a fan of frozen meatballs and want to make them from scratch, one of the best meatball recipes is that of Moroccan Lamb meatballs.
The key to a delicious Moroccan lamb meatball is the spice mix. Minced lamb is combined with onion, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, and spice mix (cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper) and coriander/cilantro.
Once everything is mixed well, let the flavors meld in the fridge and then pan-fry or bake it.
Meatballs with ground beef, pork, and lamb can be heavy for some. For such people, a chicken sausage and zucchini meatball is perfect. This meatball combines zucchini, salt, eggs, fine dry bread crumbs, onion, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, dried Italian herb and seasoning, black pepper and minced chicken.
Adding zucchini to your meatball is a good way to increase your veggie intake. You can also use carrots, cabbage, or peppers.
Vietnamese pork meatballs are different from regular meatballs because of the seasoning and sauces. Minced pork is combined with fish sauce, white sugar, scallions/green onions, minced garlic, white pepper, salt, lemongrass paste and cooking oil.
Combine everything and shape them into a thick patty. These Vietnamese meatballs are not round like regular ones. They are usually served with Nước Chấm or fish sauce made with water, sugar, freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, and fish sauce.
Buffalo chicken meatballs are delicious and have everything you love about Buffalo wings. Best part? You don’t have to spend time cleaning off the bone.
Ground chicken is mixed with chopped celery, carrots, scallions, and panko, then rolled into balls and baked in the oven. Once they are ready, toss them with Buffalo hot sauce and drizzle them with blue cheese dressing.
The result? Juicy chicken meatballs coated in a spicy and tangy sauce.
Meatball Flatbread is the best of two worlds: pizza and meatballs. You don't need a fork for these meatballs, thanks to the pizza and meatball party in your hand.
You can use store-bought flatbreads or whip up your own. The meatballs can also be store-bought or homemade, depending on your time constraints. Each bite is a mix of textures and flavors. You get the crispiness from the flatbread and the tanginess from the tomato sauce that balances the rich cheese.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes for meatball dishes, make a vegetarian meatball. These delicious veggie balls are packed with lentils, beans, oats, and veggies. Basically, any other ingredients that are in a veggie burger patties.
Mix your veggie of choice (mushrooms, spinach, grated zucchini are all stars) with breadcrumbs, spices, and a binder like egg or flaxseed. Form them into balls, bake, or pan-fry, and you have a stellar vegetarian dish. The satisfying chew of the veggies, clean earthy flavor of fresh herbs, and hints of spice will satisfy your meat craving for some time.
Sweet and spicy meatballs topped with tropical mango salsa are a sweet and savory explosion of flavors. The meatballs are tender and juicy with a kick from the sauce, while the mango salsa brings a refreshing coolness.
Mix ground beef or pork with breadcrumbs, spices like cumin and chili powder, and honey or brown sugar. Shape them into balls, bake or pan-fry, and coat them in a tangy sauce with a kick. For the salsa, chop up ripe mango, red onion, cilantro, and squeeze in lime juice. Serve them over rice or pasta for a main course.
Another stellar recipe for meatball dishes is a roasted spaghetti squash with meatballs.
A roasted spaghetti might not be as satisfying as the real deal, but with a robust sauce, it is a delicious and healthy alternative to carb-heavy pasta noodles.
For squash spaghetti, roast a halved squash until tender, then shred its flesh with a fork for noodle-like strands. Meanwhile, whip up your favorite meatballs, top with preferred sauce and Parmesan cheese, and serve over your veggie spaghetti.
Cheesy beef meatballs can add a hearty, meaty, and comforting twist to the classic French soup. Tender, juicy meatballs are nestled in a rich, caramelized onion broth. The key to this soup lies in caramelizing the onions. They are cooked low and slow in butter for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Once the onions become golden brown and sweet, flavor them with beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, and a touch of pepper. Add meatballs and simmer to let the flavors meld.
Chicken Parmesan anything is guaranteed to satisfy your craving for cheesy, Italian comfort food. You can stuff them in zucchini boats or make a meatball out of it.
These meatballs are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. The creamy cheese stretches as you pull apart the goodness. You can enjoy the meatballs as bite-sized snacks with ketchup or douse them in a bed of simmering marinara sauce and melty mozzarella.
If you want to get creative with your tacos, swap out the ground beef with juicy, flavorful meatballs. Meatball tacos are a playful, delicious twist to the classic handheld treat.
Cook your favorite meatballs in the oven, pan, or air fryer till they are beautifully golden brown. Warm your tortillas and pile on the toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Lastly, tuck in your meatballs.
These tacos are perfect for a quick lunch, a fun dinner party, or even a game day snack.
Lemon basil turkey meatballs are flavorful and lighter than beef or pork meatballs. To make lemon basil turkey meatballs, combine turkey, fresh basil leaves, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, garlic, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix them.
Then, shape the mixture into small meatballs and bake until they are cooked through and golden brown. The fresh basil and lemon juice add brightness to every bite. You can serve them with marinara and noodles or pile them on a bed of greens for a light and vibrant salad.
Cheeseburger meatballs are like a bite-sized cheeseburger. Balls of juicy beef are packed with cheesy, tangy, and peppery goodness and taste like a cheeseburger.
They are made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cheddar cheese. Once mixed, they are formed into small meatballs and baked in the oven until golden brown.
Top the meatballs with melted cheese, pickles, shredded lettuce, and a dollop of burger sauce for a proper cheeseburger experience. These meatballs make for a fun dinner that the whole family will love.
From marinating meats to adding an Argentinian flair to pizzas, there is nothing a vibrant and glistening chimichurri sauce cannot do. With so much potential, this list has to have a meatball with chimichurri sauce recipe.
Made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and spices, it adds a tangy, bright, herbaceous punch and a refreshing contrast against the rich and fatty meatball. Once your meatballs are cooked, drench them with this delicious sauce.
You do not have to use cranberry sauce for turkey only. This Thanksgiving staple is a perfect meatball topper. For an easy and low-effort sauce, use store-bought cranberry sauce that is not overly sweet. Ensure they have higher berry content and less added sugar.
Warm the sauce gently in a saucepan. Add a squeeze of orange juice or a splash of brown sugar. Simmer and let the flavors meld. Drizzle it over your meatballs and serve.
