5 Ways to Fall in Love With Meatballs + 1 Secret Favorite Way

Tender. Juicy. Flavorful. A good meatball is a beautiful thing. And almost every culture and cuisine has found a way to make the most of simple ground meat; Greek ‘keftedes’, Vietnamese ‘bun cha’, ‘kofta’ from the Middle East and India, and Ikea-favorite Swedish ‘kottbullar’.

Perfect for speedy weeknight family meals (kids love them!) and a true freezer favorite. Every home cook needs a handful of meatball recipes up their sleeve. I’ve rounded up my top ways to eat meatballs, showing off the versatility of the humble meatball, so you too can fall in love with all they have to offer.

And remember, most meatball recipes begin with minced meat (pork, beef, chicken, veal, or lamb, or a mixture), breadcrumbs, and eggs. From there, the seasoning, aromatics, and sides can be easily adapted to suit almost any cuisine or craving.

Keep in mind, meatballs take well to freezing both before and after cooking, so never hesitate to make a big batch and keep them on hand for last minute meatball nights.

Meatballs with spaghetti

For me, my first experience of meatballs was with spaghetti in a classic marinara sauce. This typical Italian-American preparation is a favorite thanks to generous sized meatballs (often bigger than the traditional Italian ‘polpette’), rich tomato sauce and a generous tangle of spaghetti to bring it all together. Similar in flavor to a Bolognese, spaghetti meatballs feels a little more fun to eat, and the tender, meaty texture of the meatballs contrasts perfectly with the silky sauce. Try out our variations on the classic with the recipes below, and you’ll soon be convinced by this homely classic.

Sheet pan meatballs

Cooking meatballs on a sheet pan not only saves on washing up, they require less attention than pan-fried meatballs, which can keep you tied to the stove. Simply roll them up and lay them out to cook in the oven until golden brown, but still juicy! Serve them with veggies, grains, and carbs to complement the flavors of the meatballs.

Swedish meatballs

A favorite among Ikea shoppers (if you’ve tried them, you’ll know what I’m talking about), Swedish meatballs (AKA ‘kottbullar’) typically combine beef and pork with the usual breadcrumbs and egg. The balls are then pan-fried and served with a rich and creamy sauce, mashed potato, and lingonberry jam. Simple, comforting food. If you’ve not tried them before, this is your sign!

Asian-style Meatballs with rice

Asian-style meatballs served with rice may be one of the most underrated of all. The powerful flavors of Asian cooking (think soy sauce, lime, chili, ginger, and fish sauce) ensure big flavor with just a few steps. Served with rice, herbs, and salad these recipes will have you coming back over and over again.

Meatballs with orzo

These simple, feta-filled pork meatballs are served with orzo and fresh spinach in a delicious creamy broth. Dill and lemon add a summery brightness that perfectly pairs with the comforting meatballs and orzo. Experiment with lamb, chicken, or turkey, and swap in any of your favorite herbs and quick-cooking vegetables for a recipe that ticks so many boxes.

Bonus: Meatball sandwiches

An insider tip from a true meatball lover: Add any meatball to a bread roll and you have a meatball sub! Whether it’s Italian style with Parmesan and marinara sauce, herby Greek meatballs with lemon, feta, and a dollop of Greek yogurt, Swedish meatballs with a little cream sauce and lingonberry jam, or a Thai-style lemongrass meatball with a drizzle of fish sauce, lime and cucumber. Experiment with your leftovers to find your new favorite meatball sub! You won’t look back. What's your favorite way to enjoy meatballs? Let us know in the comments!

Meatballs with spaghetti

Steven makes spaghetti and meatballs

Pasta with mini meatballs

5-ingredient spaghetti meatballs

Asparagus pasta with meatballs

Meatless meatballs with tomato sauce

Sheet pan meatballs

Sheet pan meatballs with chickpeas and vegetables

Easy sheet pan meatballs with savory walnut sauce

Swedish meatballs

Seb’s Childhood Swedish Meatballs

Vegan Swedish meatballs

Asian-style Meatballs with rice

5-ingredient curried pork meatballs with rice

Easy honey-soy glazed meatballs

Easy lemongrass meatballs

Meatballs with orzo

Easy, herby Greek meatballs with feta and spinach orzo

Bonus: Meatball sandwiches

More delicious ideas for you