11 Easy Meatball Recipes for Every Mood (2024)

11 Easy Meatball Recipes for Every Mood (1)

Diamond Bridges|March 10, 2021 5:45 pm EST

Is there anything better than a meatball? They are a great go-to whether you want something familiar and crowdpleasing or want to do some armchair traveling via your tastebuds.

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From porkand beef Italian meatballs served with a red sauce over pasta to skewered chicken meatballs coated in a sticky, spicy Korean glaze, every culture has its own delicious versions. Which means there's a meatball to suit every mood and palate. Here are 11 of our favorite meatball recipes.

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Swedish Meatballs

11 Easy Meatball Recipes for Every Mood (2)

Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Prepare your own Michelin-star worthy meal with this recipe. The chef from New York's famed Aquavit restaurant used the tips and tricks she learned from her grandmother to develop these classic Swedish meatballs. The meatballs are made with both beef and pork covered in a creamy sauce.

For the Swedish Meatballs recipe, click here.

Turkey Mushroom Meatballs

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Courtesy of Aramark

This simple meatball recipe makes a healthy yet satisfying dinner. This recipe calls for ground turkey but also sneaks in mushrooms and spinach for earthy flavors and tons of nutrients.

For the Turkey Mushroom Meatballs recipe, click here.

Albóndigas

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Courtesy of La Cocina De Leslie

No need to travel to a Mexican restaurant to get authentic, aromatic dishes. This Mexican meal is one of the best comfort foods for cold days. Hearty meatballs with a touch of spicy serrano pepper give depth of flavor to a homemade soup full of potatoes, carrots and squash.

For the Albóndigas recipe, click here.

Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs in a Tangy Sauce

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Courtesy of The Magical Slow Cooker

This is an easy slow cooker recipe you can make for busy evenings, and is one of those vintage recipes no one makes anymore —but should. These meatballs are mixed with rice and covered in a tomatoey barbecue sauce — and no, they're not porcupine — they're 100% beef.

For the Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs in a Tangy Sauce recipe, click here.

Turkey Meatball and Scallion Yakitori

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Courtesy of McCormick

This Japanese-inspired recipe features a sticky, sweet miso glaze with sake, mirin and pineapple juice, which plays well off of the turkey. Serve on a bamboo skewer amd garnishwith toasted sesame seeds for a delightful party appetizer — even if it's a party of one.

For the Turkey Meatball and Scallion Yakitori recipe, click here.

Ikea Meatballs

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Ashley J._Yelp

Korean BBQ Meatballs

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Courtesy Noodles & Company

Bring Korean-style barbecue to your home with this recipe. Take gochujang paste and mix it with a sweet yet spicy sauce to glaze over your meatballs. Have it with a side of rice or enjoy these meatballs by themselves on a skewer.

For the Korean BBQ Meatballs recipe, click here.

Easy Turkey Meatballs

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Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to compromise a delicious and satisfying dinner. These turkey meatballs are easy to make and perfect to eat with your favorite pasta. You can also use ground chicken, beef or pork if that's what you happen to have on hand.

For the Easy Turkey Meatballs recipe, click here.

Beef Brisket Meatball Sandwich

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Courtesy of Aramark

There's no need to go to Subway when you have this meatball sub recipe. Ground brisket is seasoned with Italian parsley, basil and more. Then, the meatballs are covered in a savory tomato sauce before being served on a sub roll.

For the Beef Brisket Meatball Sandwich recipe, click here.

Slow Cooker Cajun Buffalo Meatballs

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Courtesy of McCormick

We know Buffalo chicken is a popular game day food, but this new take on that classic combo of flavors just might be your new favorite. These Buffalo meatballs are easy to prepare in a slow cooker and delicious when topped with blue cheese crumbles.

For the Slow Cooker Cajun Buffalo Meatballs recipe, click here.

Chicken Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

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DronG/Shutterstock

If you're not sure what to eat for dinner, then stick with the basics. This meatball recipe will be your new go-to choice when you're struggling to make a decision. This recipe calls for ground chicken, but feel free to replace it with beef, pork or turkey. For vegetarians or vegans, you can easily swap for plant-based ground meat alternatives. There are plenty of side dishes you can eat with your meatballs, from mashed potatoes to mixed veggies, but you can also try eating it with one of these hearty rice dishes.

For the Chicken Meatballs in Marinara Sauce recipe, click here.

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11 Easy Meatball Recipes for Every Mood (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of a tender meatball? ›

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs

Not seasoning the meat.
Not adding any moisture to the meat.
Over-mixing the meat.
Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.

May 1, 2019

What's the difference between Italian style meatballs and regular meatballs? ›

Italian-style meatballs often include additional ingredients such as milk, olive oil, ground pork, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and sometimes a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork [2].

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Is it better to bake or cook meatballs? ›

Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

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Why do my meatballs fall apart when I cook them? ›

Because meat shrinks when cooked, mince proteins are likely to separate and crumble unless bound together. Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart.

Why do you put baking soda in meatballs? ›

Baking soda acts as a meat tenderizer by changing the physical composition of meat fibers. It raises the pH levels on the surface and makes it tougher (pun intended) for the proteins in the meat to bond.

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Why are my homemade meatballs tough? ›

More Reasons Your Meatballs are Hard

Sticky hands can result in an overworked farcemeat. Too much time spent forming the balls can also make them tough, and you're more likely to overwork them if you can't get them off your hands.

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Why are my meatballs not tender? ›

Don't Over-Mix the Meat

Over-mixing. The more you mix ground meat with seasonings, the tougher, springier, and more compact the finished product will be—we want loose and tender, not tight and sausage-like.

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Why did my meatballs come out tough? ›

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What causes rubbery meatballs? ›

It all starts with the meat

If poultry is your meat of choice, pay extra attention not to overcook the meatballs, as they can turn rubbery very easily. Fry in plenty of oil or lard to keep them moist and cook them slowly on low heat after they are seared.

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What makes meatballs not fall apart? ›

Bastianich recommends giving the meatballs a little dusting of flour before adding them to the oil in the skillet. The ones I dredged in flour did hold up better than those I did not.