Combining spaghetti & meatballs is a surefire comfort food classic, but it’s not all that meatballs are good for. They’re super-versatile, are truly easy to make (even for beginners!), and are always a crowd-pleaser, whether you serve them as a game day app, a dip, or for a weeknight dinner. Don’t believe us? Check out our 48 meatball recipes for proof—we know you’ll be rolling with us in no time.
If you’re only really familiar with the Italian-style meatballs from dishes like the aforementioned spaghetti & meatballs, you’re in for a treat. Though traditionally made from ground beef (and sometimes pork), you can make meatballs from lamb, chicken, turkey, bison… You can even go meatless, by using mushrooms, zucchini, or chickpeas to make your meatballs. We've got them all represented here—give these different recipes a try until you find what you (and your family) like best. We promise, each experiment will be just as delicious as the last.
Once you’ve got your base recipe down, that’s when the real fun starts. Meatballs don’t have to be paired with just marinara, people! They’re also wonderful in a flavorful creamy sauce, like in our Swedish meatballs or our Thai-style red curry meatballs; turned spicy, like in our Buffalo chicken meatballs or our firecracker chicken meatballs; or taken in a sweet direction, like in our slow-cooker grape jelly meatballs or our General Tso’s meatballs.
And all right, red sauce and meatballs is kind of the perfect pairing… but feel free to jazz it up with other flavors too, like we did in our sloppy Joe meatball bake, our harissa meatballs, our Tex-Mex meatballs, or our enchilada meatballs. The sky is truly the limit, so have fun with it.
And don’t forget about turning your meatballs into a sandwich, à la a meatball sub. We’ve got a number of recipes here inspired by that classic combo, like our meatball sub bites, our French onion meatball sub, our meatball sub egg rolls, and more. Give them ALL a try, you won’t regret it!
More of a pasta and meatball fan? Check out our best weeknight pasta dinners, our top penne pasta recipes, and our favorite Italian pasta recipes too.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Craving something a little more creative than your average Buffalo wings? Enter: Buffalo chicken meatballs. Ready in just 30 minutes, these meatballs are a flavor-packed app you can have ready in no time, so you don't have to miss any of the big game.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Meatballs recipe.
Spaghetti & Meatballs
If you're looking for a super simple, comforting, no-frills bowl of Italian pasta, you've come to the right place. And if you're feeling adventurous, it's also a great jumping-off point to make your own version of this classic dish!
Get the Spaghetti & Meatballs recipe.
French Onion Chicken Meatballs
We think everything can be improved by adding meatballs to it, even French onion soup. This recipe turns an appetizer soup into a full meal, featuring plenty of caramelized onions and lots of melty cheese. Turn them into a meatball sub next!
Cheesy Mini Meatball Skillet Dip
Part cheese dip, part meatballs, this skillet dip is not only delicious, but a fun activity for the whole family. Top the whole skillet with a generous sprinkling of thinly sliced scallions, and you’ve got one colorful party on a chip.
Tex-Mex Meatball Soup
If you've ever wished our Tex-Mex meatballs could be just a little bit cozier, you're in lucky. This flavorful soup is super-comforting and will help warm your bones all winter long.
Get the Tex-Mex Meatball Soup recipe.
Baked Minty Meatballs With Lemony Orzo
Silky and rich, this lemony orzo is inspired by the Greek soup avgolemono. Paired with minty-turkey meatballs, this all-in-one meal is actually quite simple to pull off for a simple weeknight dinner or dinner party.
Garlic Butter Meatballs & Zoodles
These garlic butter meatballs are gluten-free without skipping out on any tastiness. Now this is a low-carb dinner both you and your family can feel good about.
Meatball Subs
Cheesy, saucy, and perfectly-toasty, meatball subs are an unbeatable comfort food meal. If you’ve never made one at home, get ready for a game-changer.
Get the Meatball Subs recipe.
Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs
Looking to spice up your routine chicken dinner? These chicken meatballs have a kick from a traditional kung pao sauce that's sure to shake things up. They're filling on their own, but serving over rice will help cut some of the heat if you or someone in your family are spice-averse.
Get the Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs recipe.
Meatball Sub Bites
The meatball sub is a hearty comfort food classic that's been long overdue for a bite-sized upgrade. Enter the meatball sub bite—a juicy herb and garlic meatball stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in crisp and chewy pizza dough, and served with spicy marinara. 😍
Get the Meatball Sub Bites recipe.
Thai-Style Red Curry Meatballs
When we get tired of beef, we love to turn to ground turkey for a lighter meatball option, and this creamy red Thai-style curry recipe always hits the spot. Warming and creamy with a hint of heat, this is the perfect dish to cozy up to when the weather starts getting colder—but it's so delicious, it deserves to be devoured year round too.
Vegan Meatballs
Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Now vegans and vegetarians can enjoy those cozy vibes too! These chickpea-based meatballs pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and even provide a good amount of protein and fiber. Pair with spaghetti or whatever pasta shape you like.
Get the Vegan Meatballs recipe.
Skillet Chili & Meatballs
This recipe combines the best of a game-day snack and the components of spicy chili into a single dish. Rather than crumbling the ground meat as in the classic dish, you'll form those same elements into perfect meatballs. Thanks to black and kidney beans, this filling, hearty dish is as perfect for a party app as it is a laid-back dinner.
Get the Skillet Chili & Meatballs recipe.
Sloppy Joe Meatball Bake
Meatballs don’t take the sloppy out of sloppy Joes, they just turn it into a whole new form. Trust us—these little ones are just as delicious as the original ground beef version. Cheesy, hefty, and super-saucy, this skillet dish also comes together in under an hour, making it the perfect anytime meal.
Get the Sloppy Joe Meatball Bake recipe.
Meatball Sub Egg Rolls
These fun little hybrids are exactly what they sound like—all of the fillings you'd find in a meatball sub loaded into an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried until golden brown, delicious, and perfect for folks who don't want their hands covered in hot marinara sauce.
Get the Meatball Sub Egg Rolls recipe.
Turkey Feta Meatballs
These turkey feta meatballs are easy to make and can be served any way you like. We love them served with just a simple lemon-yogurt sauce, but they also go well with a good marinara sauce or a Greek pasta salad. Have fun with it!
Get the Turkey Feta Meatballs recipe.
Tex-Mex Meatballs
Pro tip: These Tex-Mex meatballs make a killer sub. Just throw them on a hero roll with extra sauce and melt some cheddar on top.
Get the Tex-Mex Meatballs recipe.
Plant-Based Meatballs
Disney's Magic Kingdom's Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, where you can find these meatballs, is based on Lady and the Tramp. Go ahead and recreate the iconic scene with these spaghetti & meatballs—everyone does!
Get the Plant-Based Meatballs recipe.
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