23 Delicious Meatball Dinner Ideas (2024)

Meatballs are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a hearty and satisfying meal to feed a crowd, there is a meatball recipe out there for you. In this collection, we have gathered 23 delicious meatball dinner ideas that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

From classic Italian-style meatballs in marinara sauce to Asian-inspired meatballs in a savory ginger-soy glaze, these recipes showcase the versatility of meatballs and offer something for every taste and occasion. Whether you prefer beef, pork, chicken, or vegetarian meatballs, you will find a recipe here that suits your preferences.

In addition to being delicious, meatballs are also convenient and economical. They can be made in advance and frozen for later use, and they are a great way to stretch a small amount of meat into a satisfying meal. So why wait? Get out your skillet or your slow cooker and try one of these delicious meatball dinner ideas tonight!

Meatballs are a great way to get protein into the kids and teenagers without having to eat mushy minced meat. Meatballs are easy to make and most supermarkets have a range of readymade meatballs making some of these meatball dinners really quick to make, Perfect for mid-week evenings when you are too tired to cook a full-blown-out meal.

Ginger Pork Meatballs – The Gingered Whisk

Cheeseburger Meatball Kabobs – Mom Endeavors

Sweet and Sour Asian Meatballs with Vegetables – Good Life Eats

Meatball Pizza – Jonesin For Taste

Izmir Kofte – Turkeys For Life

Honey Garlic Meatballs – Barefeet in the Kitchen

One Pot Greek Meatballs with Lemon Dill Rice – Dinner at the Zoo

Cheesy Meatballs with Gnocchi – Averie Cooks

Farro Soup Meatballs – Dinner at the Zoo

What is a meatball?

A meatball is a ball-shaped mixture of ground meat, usually served with a sauce. Meatballs are a staple of many cuisines around the world, with countless variations on the classic recipe depending on the region and culture. Meatballs are a great way to use up small amounts of leftover meat, and can be served as a main course, appetizer, snack, or even used in sandwiches and wraps. The most common meatball recipe, and the one used in this article, is made with a mixture of ground meat, breadcrumbs, and spices.

Meatballs are a great way to add more protein to your diet, and are a delicious, versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. There are many classic meatball recipes, such as Italian-style meatballs, Swedish meatballs, and even French-inspired Boulettes, which are smaller, bite-sized meatballs.

Benefits of making meatballs

There are many benefits to making meatballs, and they are a great way to use up any leftovers you may have in your fridge. Meatballs are fast, easy, and budget-friendly to make. They also freeze well, so you can make a big batch to last a few meals. Meatballs are a great source of protein, making them an excellent choice for people following a low-carb, high-protein diet such as the Atkins diet or the Paleo diet.

If you’re looking for ways to up your protein intake without increasing your calorie count, meatballs are a great choice. They are also a good source of iron and B vitamins, which are important for energy production and metabolism. And if you’re watching your weight, meatballs are a great low-calorie option. Two Swedish meatballs (tenderloin) contains only 224 calories. If you pair meatballs with pasta or rice and a side vegetable, you can easily make a healthy meal to follow a weight loss diet plan such as the Mediterranean diet.

Ingredients for the best meatball recipe

For the best meatball recipe, you’ll need to start with the right ingredients. To make the best meatballs, you’ll need ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. You can also add onion, shallots, and lemon zest for more flavor. This recipe yields 12 meatballs, and you can serve them in a variety of ways. You can serve them as an appetizer with a sauce, use them as a main course with pasta or rice and a side vegetable, or even use them to make meatball sandwiches or wraps.

For the best results, it is important to use ground beef that is fresh and not too lean, as lean ground beef does not have enough fat to create tender meatballs. You’ll also want to use a good quality breadcrumbs, either homemade or store-bought, as crumbs from a stale loaf will fall apart when cooking and taste stale in your meatballs. A little Parmesan cheese can be added for more flavor, but it should not be substituted for breadcrumbs. Parmesan has more fat, which helps with making a more tender, flavorful meatball.

Preparation for the perfect meatballs

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you can start to make the perfect meatballs.

First, in a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Gently mix until all the ingredients are combined, but do not over mix. Over-mixing can cause the meatballs to be tough.

Next, use your hands to roll the mixture into 12 meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each. Place the meatballs on a baking tray, and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up, which will make them easier to fry. Warm the oil in a large pan over medium heat. You can test the temperature by placing a piece of meatball in the oil; it should sizzle when it touches the pan. If it does not sizzle, the oil is not hot enough.

Once the oil is hot enough, carefully place the meatballs in the pan, without overcrowding them. Fry the meatballs for about 8 minutes, or until cooked through. While the meatballs are cooking, make a quick sauce. For a classic marinara sauce, combine 3 tablespoons of tomato paste with a cup of water, and simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens.

You can also make a spicy harissa sauce with a handful of fresh cilantro, a clove of garlic, a teaspoon of harissa spice blend, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a cup of water. Whichever sauce you make, it will be served with the warm meatballs.

Cooking the perfect meatballs

Once the meatballs are ready, you can serve them in a few different ways. You can serve them with marinara sauce for a classic Italian-inspired dish. You can also serve them with a creamy sauce, such as a creamy Parmesan sauce or a creamy mustard sauce. You can also serve them with a homemade gravy.

It’s best to serve the meatballs as soon as they are out of the pan to ensure they are nice and hot. You can also make a bigger batch of meatballs and freeze them. When you’re ready to eat them, simply reheat in the oven or in a pan until they are hot again.

Adapting the recipe for different flavors

While this recipe uses classic Italian ingredients, you can also adapt this recipe to create different flavors. For Swedish meatballs, replace the Parmesan with Swedish cheese and add nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. For Mexican-inspired meatballs, add chili powder, cumin, and cilantro, and serve with salsa. If you’re making French-inspired Boulettes, add lemon zest, fresh herbs, and a little onion.

You can also change the way you serve the meatballs to suit any occasion. Instead of serving them with pasta, you can serve them on a bun with a side salad. You can also serve them on a bed of rice with a side salad.

Serving suggestions

You can serve the meatballs as an appetizer, with a sauce, or as a main course. If you’re serving them as an appetizer, you can serve them with crackers or baguettes. If you’re serving them as a main course, they go great with a side of pasta or rice and a vegetable. You can also use the meatballs in sandwiches or wraps.

If you’re making the sauce from scratch, it is best to make it while the meatballs are being fried, as it takes only a few minutes to make. If you’re using a store-bought sauce, you can make the meatballs while the sauce is being heated up. The meatballs are done when they are cooked through but still tender. They should not be pink in the middle. You will know they are done when they are golden brown on the outside and slightly crispy.

Variations of the recipe

If you’re looking for a meatball recipe with a twist, try this amazing recipe for Parmesan and spinach meatballs. You can also try switching up the type of ground meat. You can make lamb or veal meatballs, or try making vegetarian meatballs with lentils or beans, and serve with pasta or rice. You can also use the meatball recipe to make meatloaf, meatball subs, meatball sandwiches, and meatball stew.

To make meatloaf, mix the meatball ingredients together in a large bowl. Using your hands, shape the mixture into a loaf pan, and bake in a preheated oven until cooked through. To make meatball subs, grill the meatballs, and serve them on a sub roll with sauce and provolone cheese. For meatball sandwiches, top a toasted bun with the cooked meatballs, sauce, and cheese.

And for a hearty stew, combine cooked meatballs with vegetables and broth in a pot and simmer until everything is cooked through.

And now, welcome to our basic meatball recipe!

This recipe uses a combination of ground beef and pork, along with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful and tender texture. The meatballs are seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, including parsley, garlic, and onion, and they are cooked in a simple tomato sauce for a classic and satisfying meal.

This recipe is easy to customize to suit your preferences. You can use a different type of meat, such as turkey or chicken, or you can add other ingredients, such as diced vegetables or chopped nuts, to give the meatballs extra flavor and texture.

So why wait? Get out your mixing bowl and let’s get started on this delicious and versatile basic meatball recipe!

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, beaten
2 cups tomato sauce

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and egg. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tomato sauce and bring it to a simmer.
Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook them for 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve the meatballs hot, with the tomato sauce spooned over the top. Enjoy!

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