14 Easy Meatball Dinners the Whole Family Will Devour

One batch of meatballs, endless dinners! These 14 easy meatball recipes span cozy Italian classics, sweet-and-sticky glazes, and fun new twists.

Below you’ll find 14 reader-favorite recipes, each with a photo, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions. Save your favorites and enjoy!

1. Classic Italian Meatballs with Marinara

Tender, herby meatballs simmered in rich marinara — the timeless family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 cups marinara sauce

Instructions

1. Mix beef, pork, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, garlic, and seasoning gently.
2. Roll into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
3. Brown in olive oil 6 minutes, turning, until golden.
4. Pour in marinara and simmer 15 minutes.
5. Spoon sauce over the meatballs.
6. Serve over spaghetti with extra parmesan.

2. Creamy Swedish Meatballs

Delicately spiced meatballs in a silky cream gravy over buttery egg noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 cups beef broth

Instructions

1. Soak breadcrumbs in milk 5 minutes.
2. Mix with meats, egg, allspice, nutmeg, and salt; form meatballs.
3. Brown meatballs 7 minutes; remove.
4. Whisk 2 tablespoons flour into the drippings; add broth and 1/2 cup cream.
5. Simmer until thick; return meatballs 10 minutes.
6. Serve over egg noodles with parsley.

3. BBQ Meatball Subs

Saucy barbecue meatballs with melted provolone in toasted hoagie rolls.

Ingredients

• 1 lb frozen meatballs, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
• 4 hoagie rolls
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup pickles

Instructions

1. Simmer meatballs in barbecue sauce 15 minutes.
2. Heat oven to 400°F.
3. Butter the rolls and toast 5 minutes.
4. Fill rolls with meatballs and onion.
5. Top with provolone.
6. Broil 2 minutes until melty; add pickles and parsley.

4. Teriyaki Meatballs

Juicy meatballs glazed in sweet-savory homemade teriyaki with sesame seeds.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1 egg
• 2 green onions, minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix chicken, panko, egg, and green onions; form meatballs.
3. Bake 18 minutes until cooked through.
4. Simmer soy sauce, honey, and vinegar 5 minutes until syrupy.
5. Toss meatballs in the teriyaki glaze.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

5. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Spicy buffalo chicken meatballs with cool ranch drizzle and celery sticks.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup buffalo sauce plus more
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• Celery sticks

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, buffalo sauce, and garlic powder.
3. Form 20 meatballs and bake 18 minutes.
4. Toss hot meatballs in extra buffalo sauce.
5. Drizzle with ranch and sprinkle blue cheese.
6. Serve with celery sticks.

6. Meatball Stroganoff

Comforting beef meatballs in a creamy mushroom sauce over egg noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 lb frozen meatballs
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp flour
• 12 oz egg noodles
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Cook egg noodles; drain and toss with butter.
2. Sauté mushrooms and onion 6 minutes.
3. Stir in flour; add broth and simmer until thick.
4. Add meatballs; simmer 12 minutes.
5. Stir in sour cream off the heat.
6. Serve over the buttered noodles.

7. Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki

Lemony herb meatballs with cool cucumber tzatziki and warm pita.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb or beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated

Instructions

1. Mix meat, breadcrumbs, egg, mint, oregano, and lemon zest.
2. Form meatballs and chill 15 minutes.
3. Sear in olive oil 8 minutes until cooked through.
4. Stir yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill for tzatziki.
5. Warm pita bread.
6. Serve meatballs with tzatziki, tomatoes, and pita.

8. Honey Garlic Meatballs

Sticky-sweet honey garlic glaze that makes these meatballs disappear fast.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix pork, breadcrumbs, and egg; form meatballs.
3. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden.
4. Simmer honey, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar 5 minutes.
5. Toss meatballs in the sticky glaze.
6. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

9. Meatball Parmesan Bake

Meatballs baked in marinara under a blanket of mozzarella — pure comfort.

Ingredients

• 1 lb frozen meatballs, thawed
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup basil
• 1 loaf garlic bread
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Spread 1 cup marinara in a 9×13-inch dish.
3. Add meatballs and cover with remaining sauce.
4. Top with mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
5. Bake 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Top with basil; serve with garlic bread.

10. Asian Sesame Meatballs

Ginger-scented meatballs in a glossy soy-sesame glaze with scallions.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground pork
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix pork, panko, egg, and ginger; form meatballs.
3. Bake 18 minutes until cooked through.
4. Simmer soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil 4 minutes.
5. Toss meatballs in the glaze.
6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions.

11. Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs

Sweet-tart cranberry barbecue meatballs — the easiest party or dinner hero.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs frozen meatballs
• 1 can (14 oz) cranberry sauce
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Toothpicks or rolls

Instructions

1. Whisk cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire.
2. Pour over meatballs in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on LOW 4 hours.
4. Stir to coat in the glossy sauce.
5. Sprinkle with parsley.
6. Serve as an appetizer or over rice.

12. Spaghetti and Meatballs

The weeknight classic: juicy meatballs, tangy sauce, and a mountain of spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 lb frozen meatballs
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup basil

Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente; drain.
2. Sauté garlic in olive oil 30 seconds.
3. Add meatballs and marinara; simmer 15 minutes.
4. Toss spaghetti with half the sauce.
5. Plate pasta and top with meatballs.
6. Finish with parmesan and basil.

13. Italian Meatball Soup

Tiny meatballs, orzo, and veggies in a savory tomato-herb broth.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 cup orzo
• 3 cups baby spinach

Instructions

1. Mix turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning; roll mini meatballs.
2. Brown meatballs 5 minutes; remove.
3. Simmer broth, tomatoes, and orzo 8 minutes.
4. Return meatballs; simmer 8 minutes more.
5. Stir in spinach until wilted.
6. Serve with grated parmesan.

14. Korean Gochujang Meatballs

Sweet-heat gochujang glaze with a sesame crunch — bold and addictive.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 green onions

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix beef, panko, and egg; form meatballs.
3. Bake 18 minutes until cooked through.
4. Simmer gochujang, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar 4 minutes.
5. Toss meatballs in the spicy glaze.
6. Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Love these 14 easy meatball dinners? Pin this roundup for later and explore more easy recipes at simplymealful.us.