If you ask me, meatball recipes are underrated.
They might seem like a basic food that’s often made as an afterthought, but this nostalgic fare doesn’t need to be bland or boring.
While the foundation of meatballs is almost always ground beef or ground turkey, there are plenty of ways to spruce them up—either with spices or sauces.
Related: Healthy and Comforting Recipes to Make at Home
And they don’t always have to sit atop spaghetti, either. Put them on subs, skewers, or eat them with toothpicks for a simple and tasty appetizer.
Do I have your attention? Take a peek below for some must-try meatball recipes you can make in no time!
How to Flavor Your Meatballs
Some of the easiest ways to flavor meatballs is by combining them with jellies, jams or marinades.
One of my favorite ways to flavor meatballs at home is with this Adams Apple Co. Grill Master Gift Set. It includes an apple cider slaw and salad dressing, along with a bourbon bath marinade.
The bourbon bath marinade is great for any type of meat, but especially ideal for meatballs. They just absorb all the flavor!
Then there are the pepper jams from Southern Roots Sisters.
Simply dump one of these jams in a Crock Pot with your meatballs, let them cook for 2-3 hours, and you’re on your way to a flavorful mealtime!
Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs
I get it. You don’t always have time to wait around for your meal to cook.
But with a simple slow cooker recipe like this one, you don’t have to hang out in the kitchen while your meatballs are cooking!
I found these meatballs on “AllRecipes” and thought they’d be great for those busy weeknights. With only two steps required, you don’t need to be a savvy chef to make them taste great.
Simply mix the ingredients in a bowl, shape the mixture into 16 meatballs, plop them in a slow cooker with a few more ingredients, and cook them for 6-8 hours.
You can find everything you need to make these meatballs HERE.
Cheesy Meatball Casserole
This is one of those meatball recipes I never knew I needed until now! But by looking at the picture, it certainly secured a spot on my “must-try recipes” list.
From the food blog “Dinner then Dessert,” this cheesy meatball casserole will give you that warm, comforting feeling you get from a dish like baked ziti.
And thanks to the meatballs throughout, it’s sure to keep the entire family coming back for more.
Make it at home by following the recipe HERE.
Meatball Subs
Just picture that first bite into a hearty meatball sub. It’s really a treat! And this recipe from Rachel Ray is sure to knock your socks off.
Requiring less than an hour in total (for prep and cooking), these meatball subs are a great last-minute meal idea.
Rachel uses ground sirloin in the recipe, but if you aren’t much of a red meat person, turkey should work fine as well.
Follow the recipe HERE to make these at home, and serve them up with crispy oven fries on the side.
Simple Swedish-Style Meatballs
If you’ve ever been to IKEA, you’ll know that Swedish meatballs await you in the large cafeteria.
But the good news is that you don’t have to visit the massive retailer to get a taste of this delicious food.
What makes these meatballs different is that they’re made with a combination of beef and pork. Simmered in a creamy sauce, they’re truly irresistible.
HERE is the recipe from “Home Made Interest.” And don’t be scared to get crafty with these… they make a good appetizer OR meal!
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
You might see it as a food for sports games, but there are so many ways you can make buffalo chicken. And that includes meatball form!
I discovered this recipe on “Taste of Home” and boy… it looks like I need to bring it straight to MY home.
To make these, you only need five ingredients. And while the recipe makes two dozen meatballs, don’t be afraid to double it if you need to feed a crowd.
Related: My Low-Carb Buffalo Chicken Bake
Find the ingredients and all of the instructions HERE. Oh, and they’re great when dipped in ranch or blue cheese!
Chicken Parm Meatball Crostini
Crostini is one of my favorite appetizers to get when I’m out at a restaurant. But I’ve never seen it topped with meatballs!
This “Half-Baked Harvest” recipe mixes the casual nature of appetizers with an elevated Italian feel.
It tastes a lot like chicken parmesan, but instead of the pasta noodles, the meatball and mozzarella sit atop a piece of crispy bread.
Cute, right? Tasty? I don’t doubt it! HERE is the full recipe.
Greek Meatball Gyro
Eating a gyro is such a unique experience. The rich Mediterranean flavors in the meat mixed with the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce?
I mean… how can you resist?
But instead of using shaved gyro meat as the main star, this recipe from “Our Life Tastes Good” uses meatballs.
HERE are the steps you need to follow to make them.
Kung-Pao Chicken Meatballs
I’m not always the one to make a Chinese at home. But the look of these Kung Pao Chicken Meatballs might have me changing my mind.
This recipe requires a good amount of ingredients to reach that perfect flavor, but almost all of the ingredients are spices or sauces that you might already have in your home.
When the meatballs are cooked and coated in that sweet and tangy sauce, they’re great atop rice or lo mein noodles. Yum!
Find the “Delish” recipe HERE.
Caprese Meatball Skewers
Petite skewers are a great finger food for any party which is why I wanted to include these Caprese meatball skewers from “Chelsea Le Blanc.”
Similar to a Caprese salad, they layer three main ingredients—mozzarella cheese, tomato, and basil. But where they’re different is that the mini “salad” tops mini meatballs!
One of the reasons I love this recipe is that it takes under 30 minutes total.
So when you’re called to a last-minute neighborhood gathering, you’ll have something simple and time-conscious to prepare
Find all of the ingredients HERE… and don’t forget the balsamic glaze!
BBQ Meatballs
I’m sure you saw this one coming because BBQ meatballs are one of the more popular meatball recipes.
They’re also made in a crockpot which always makes things simpler!
Head to the store and grab some frozen, cooked meatballs (they’re easy and they still taste great). Then, snag some grape jelly and BBQ sauce from the condiment aisle and that’s all you’ll need!
And the recipe couldn’t be easier either… just dump all of the ingredients in the crockpot, cook for 2-3 hours, and enjoy!
Need more details? Find them HERE.
Breakfast Meatballs
Those BBQ meatballs may have been expected, but I’m sure these breakfast meatballs weren’t!
The perfect combination of savory and sweet, they’re a great alternative to other breakfast meat like sausage, ham, or bacon.
They have a crisp, tangy taste thanks to the apples and a punch of flavor from onion, thyme, and cheddar cheese.
Just don’t forget to top them with maple syrup… trust me! Find the recipe HERE.
Which one of these meatball recipes will you try first? I have my eye on the buffalo or the crostini… Whatever you make, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new meatball rendition!
From my kitchen to yours,
Jill
Did you know I have my own online shop? Check it out HERE!
