Meatballs are a versatile dish that can be used in so many ways! If you have made a large batch and want to find a new way to enjoy an old favorite, try some of these recipes.
Meatballs are such a great recipe to have in your back pocket. They are enjoyed by all ages, quickly become a family favorite and are hearty and delicious.
Flavorful, homemade meatballs can be put together quickly for a delicious weeknight dinner, but they can also be made ahead and put in the freezer to be used again and again.
The versatility of meatballs is part of what makes them such a great dish. You can cook them in marinara sauce to serve on top of spaghetti with parmesan cheese or on a warm hoagie for meatball subs. You can cover them in a sticky sauce and serve them over rice or a sour cream-based sauce and serve them over egg noodles. You can eat juicy meatballs as an appetizer, lunch, or dinner.
If you have made a large batch of meatballs and plan to enjoy this comfort food for the next several weeks, it’s easy to ensure your family members never grow tired of them. Here are 30 ways to serve meatballs!
FAQs
There are several different types of meatballs that can be purchased either fresh or frozen from your local grocery store. While American homestyle meatballs are traditionally larger than Dutch or Italian meatballs, this has changed over the years and most of the meatballs you’ll see for sale are around the same size.
The biggest difference is simply in the types of meats and spices used in the meatballs. The different herbs and spices used in each recipe compliment certain dishes better than others. For instance Italian seasonings are often used in classic Italian meatballs, while Dutch meatballs may contain a bit of Worcestershire sauce.
Some meatballs may fall apart if your meatball mixture contains too much or too little bread crumbs. If your mixture is too dry, you may have added too much bread crumbs. At the same time, bread crumbs are necessary for holding the mixture together. Too little bread crumbs may cause the mixture to fall apart. Try adjusting this next time.
Overmixing is the main cause of tough meatballs. You need to be careful to mix your meatball recipe until just combined. Overmixing will cause the fat to break down too soon and make your meat tough.
Meatballs may also be tough if overcooked. Meatballs that are baked have a greater chance of drying out during cooking, so it is important to pay attention to your baking time.
One last reason meatballs may be too tough is not enough fat in the mixture. Tender meatballs require a good amount of fat.
Yes, if you choose to cook your meatballs by simmering in sauce it is possible to overcook them even while simmering. Overcooked meatballs may become soggy and fall apart. You want to make sure you remove the meatballs from the heat when they are fork tender and cooked through.
It is possible to cook meatballs in a slow cooker. This may result in very soft meatballs but should not be a problem if you stick to the recommended cooking time.
Meatballs are a perfect make ahead meal. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days or in the freezer for several months. Reheat frozen meatballs in the oven or microwave.
Favorite Recipes
- This Soft Meatball Recipe has been passed down through my family for generations. It makes the best meatballs for just about any dish.
- This Instant Pot recipe from Favorite Family Recipes comes together in less than 30 minutes.
- These Chicken Meatballs from Well Plated are a healthy alternative to beef meatballs and are full of great flavor!
Expert Tips
- There are so many different ways to cook meatballs but when it is possible, I like simmering them in sauce. The meat and fat adds so much flavor to the entire dish when cooked this way and the meatballs end up softer and more tender.
- If you are cooking meatballs by simmering in a sauce, you do not need to cook them before adding them to the sauce. Make sure there is enough liquid in your sauce to allow your meat to simmer. If you are using a jarred sauce, add some liquid to allow for cooking.
- If you are worried about your meatballs falling apart or if you like a more smoky flavor, it is a good idea to sear your meatballs in a large skillet before baking or simmering. Be careful not to cook for too long on the stove top as this may dry out the meat.
- You can use just about any ground meat to create meatballs, but in my opinion the most versatile is ground beef. The extra fat in this meat makes all the difference! You can try experimenting with different types of meat like ground turkey, ground pork or even ground chicken.
Serve Meatballs With:
Mashed potatoes, creamy gravy, caesar salad, homemade tomato sauce, your favorite pasta or more!
Firecracker Meatballs
Combining spicy sauce and flavorful meatballs, this firecracker meatballs recipe (from Take Two Tapas) always get rave reviews when I make them for a quick weeknight dinner or as the perfect appetizer for my parties. The next time you’re looking for delicious dinners, try this recipe for low carb spicy meatballs that everyone will love.
Nashville Hot Chicken Meatballs
Nashville Hot Chicken Meatballs (from Take Two Tapas) being the heat to your next party! These hot & spicy chicken meatballs are tender, delicious, and easy to make in the crockpot!
Authentic Swedish Meatballs – KÖTTBULLAR
Step aside IKEA, these may just be the best Swedish meatballs (from Carne Diem) you have ever tried, no assembly required. Whether you choose to make them the traditional way, or on your grill or smoker, this recipe for Authentic Swedish Meatballs, is packed with flavor and will be sure to be a hit with the entire family.
Italian Wedding Soup
Italian Wedding Soup with homemade meatballs (from Little Sunny Kitchen) is so light and easy! Make this one-pot recipe all year long with luscious chicken stock, wilted spinach, and acini de pepe pasta in less than an hour.
Cocktail Meatballs
Party Sized Meatballs with a light apricot barbecue sauce glaze. These cocktail meatballs are perfect for serving at an elegant party or serve in a crockpot at a more casual gathering.
Baked Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Butter
These Baked Chicken Meatballs with garlic butter (from You Say Potatoes) are bursting with great flavor, and they’re super easy to make! They’re full of parmesan cheese, herbs, and spices, then they’re drizzled in a little garlic-infused melted butter for even more flavor. Make a batch as a main course or serve them on cocktail sticks as an appetizer.
Braised BBQ Chicken Meatballs
This BBQ chicken meatballs recipe (from The Ugly Duckling Bakery) calls for braising chicken meatballs in barbecue sauce. This gives you tender and juicy meatballs that are packed with flavor. Make the BBQ sauce ahead of time or use your favorite store-bought bottle, and you’ve got dinner in 30 minutes.
3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs
This meatball recipe is only 3 simple ingredients (from Like Mother Like Daughter), frozen meatballs, barbecue sauce, and pineapple making it the perfect meal when you need something easy. It’s only a few minutes of prep and everything is thrown in the crock pot for the easiest dish!
Romanian Meatball Soup
A classic and traditional Romanian soup with meatballs (from Go Cook Yummy) simmered in a flavorful vegetable broth, and some fresh herbs in the end like parsley or dill. It is served with a raw spicy pepper, crusty bread, and a few tablespoons of sour cream over the soup. In Romanian, it’s originally called “Supa cu Perisoare”.
Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs
Instant pot turkey meatballs (from Love From The Table) are classic comfort food. Simple and quick, this is a delicious recipe for homemade meatballs that your whole family will love.
Meatball Sub Recipe
Making meatball subs in crock pot (from Longbourn Farm) is a great way to get a delicious dinner or lunch that everyone can agree on. I make this meatball sub recipe using my homemade Italian meatball recipe and homemade marinara sauce too. Within just a few short hours you’ll have the best sandwiches ready to go.
Ground Turkey Meatballs
These ground turkey meatballs (from Knife and Soul) are juicy and packed with flavor. They’re lighter and healthier than traditional beef and pork meatballs but seasoned generously with fresh herbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, a small amount of red chilli and a little olive oil to ensure they stay extra moist. With just 40 minutes of cooking and prep time, you can rustle some up on a weeknight. Or if weekend meal prepping is more your thing, I highly recommend making a large batch and freezing a few portions for later.
Mexican Meatballs
These Mexican Meatballs (from Simply Stacie) are super easy to make for Cinco de Mayo or an easy weeknight dinner! Use ground chicken for perfectly moist meatballs with cumin, chili powder, jalapeños, and of course shredded cheese.
Meatball Casserole without Tomato Sauce
This meatball casserole (from The Spice Train) is made with homestyle meatballs that are baked with egg noodles in a delicious creamy and garlicky mushroom and spinach sauce. The casserole is topped with white cheddar cheese for a nice sharp contrast to the creamy sauce.
Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce – Xíu Mái
Xíu Mái (from Wok and Kin) is Vietnam’s holy grail for ultra moist meatballs in a rich sweet and tangy tomato sauce! They’re the the healthiest meatballs you’ll ever have because each one is steamed to juicy perfection. Say hello to the easiest and most satisfying baguette stuffing!
Kofta Curry – Indian Meatballs in Sauce
Indian kofta curry (from Indian Ambrosia) in a thick sauce made with ground lamb, onions, yogurt, chickpea flour and lots of spices. Serve these curried meatballs with hot, fresh whole wheat naan for a delightful meal that will fill and satiate you. It’s a sumptuous dish fit for a feast!
Chicken Meatballs and Rice
Chicken meatballs and rice (from Indian Ambrosia) is a delicious one-pot dinner that’s big on both taste and looks. Ground chicken is mixed with onion, garlic, herbs and spices, shaped into balls, and shallow fried to golden-brown, buttery perfection in the instant pot. The meatballs and rice are then pressure cooked in broth, and finally topped with tomatoes and slivered almonds. You won’t be able to resist this flavor-packed meal!
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Love Buffalo wings? These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs deliver the buffalo sauce flavor you crave, but in delicious meatball form. This easy to make, flavorful dish does double-duty; serve it up as a tasty main for weeknight dinners, or as an easy appetizer for parties and game day.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
You can’t go wrong with this family favorite classic Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs (from Recipes From A Pantry), especially when it’s made in the Crockpot and becomes a hands-off, effortless dinner with perfectly seasoned Italian meatballs.
Chicken Meatballs with Honey Mustard Sauce
Chicken meatballs (from Krumpli) with garlic, thyme and rosemary cooked in either an air fryer or oven and finished in a creamy honey and mustard sauce.
Greek Lamb Meatballs
These Greek lamb meatballs (from Aleka’s Get-Together) are one of my favorite party appetizers! They are moist, juicy and packed with Greek seasonings. Serve them with mini toothpicks and a creamy tzatziki sauce, and your guests will be raving!
Garlic and Ginger Meatballs with Hot Honey Glaze
These baked turkey meatballs tossed in a hot honey glaze (from Killing Thyme) are packed with garlic and ginger to give them an East Asian-inspired flare.
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs recipe (from Easy Budget Recipes) is a super easy recipe made with just five ingredients. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or main dish, it will serve a crowd!
Stuffed Shells with Frozen Meatballs and Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce
These stuffed shells with frozen meatballs (from The Spice Train) are baked with cheese in a delicious homemade arrabbiata pasta sauce. The sauce is flavored with capers and fresh basil and has a nice spice kick from crushed red pepper flakes.
Orange Cranberry Meatballs with Leftover Cranberry Sauce
These cranberry orange meatballs (from Piper Cooks) are the perfect holiday dinner recipe, made with delicious leftover Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Everything comes together in this recipe in about 30 minutes because you can bake the meatballs while you make the pan sauce. These baked cranberry sauce meatballs are perfectly sweet, spicy, savory, and tangy and pair with creamy mashed potatoes like they were meant to be.
Spaghetti Squash Marinara
This recipe for spaghetti squash marinara (from The Dizzy Cook) is so easy, it really shouldn’t even be considered a recipe. In fact, we made this last night after I got home from a workout at 7:30pm. If I have more time, I’ll roast a spaghetti squash, but if I need something a little bit faster I’ll just boil a pot of pasta. But everyone loves a warm and filling meal that can be customized to fit anyone in the family.
Meatball Kale Soup with Couscous
Meatball Kale Soup with Couscous (from Dancing Through The Rain) is a tasty recipe that anyone can make! Whether it is cold season or you need an easy soup for dinner, this will be a huge hit!
Frikadeller – Danish Meatballs in a Creamy Gravy
Thai-Inspired Meatball Soup with Rice Noodles
Qofte – Albanian Meatballs
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