Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays & Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More Next
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More Next
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More Next
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See all Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Comfort Food Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Pasta & Noodle Recipes
    • Chefs
    • Meat & Poultry Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruit Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See all Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails & Spirits
    • Coffee Drinks & Recipes
    • Juices
    • Beer & Brews
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
    • Tea Recipes & Ideas
  • Travel

    Travel

    See all Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays & Events

    Holidays & Events

    See all Holidays & Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Comfort Food Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Meatballs Chevron Right
  4. Our 34 Best Meatball Recipes

Our 34 Best Meatball Recipes

By Food & Wine
Updated October 31, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Abby Hocking
From juicy slow-cooker meatballs to tender glazed cocktail meatballs, here are some of our favorite recipes to make year-round.
Start Slideshow

1 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Beef-Ricotta Meatballs with Braised Beet Greens

Go to Recipe

The secret to these luscious meatballs is using ground beef that has a fairly high fat content and mixing it with fresh ricotta, milk-soaked bread and aromatic seasonings like fennel and lemon zest.

  • More Italian Recipes

1 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Credit: FREDRIKA STJÄRNE
Go to Recipe

These meatballs are served in a bowl, but they are equally delicious with spaghetti or on a hoagie roll.

  • Video: Mario Batali's Perfect Meatballs

2 of 34

3 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

My Grandmother's Meatballs

Credit: © John Kernick
Go to Recipe

Milk-and-cream-soaked breadcrumbs and an egg are the secrets to these supertender meatballs from Swedish star chef Magnus Nilsson. Serve them as he does, with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes.

3 of 34

Advertisement

4 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Sesame-Ginger Chicken Meatballs

Go to Recipe

These superquick, juicy little Asian-inspired meatballs from F&W’s Justin Chapple are great wrapped in lettuce cups or served with steamed rice.

  • More Chicken Recipes

4 of 34

5 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

Go to Recipe

When Jacques Pépin has leftover cooked meat from a roast or a stew, or even leftover steak, he often chops it and uses it to make these boulettes (“small balls”)—a staple in every French housewife’s cooking repertoire.

  • Jacques Pépin Shares his Cooking Techniques

5 of 34

6 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lamb Meatballs with Cumin, Mint, and Tomato Sauce

Go to Recipe

Mint, cumin, and chopped almonds give these delicious meatballs their Middle Eastern flavor.

  • Video: Michael Symon Makes Lamb Meatballs

6 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cocktail Meatballs

Go to Recipe

According to Southern tradition, the hostess at a ladies’ luncheon should serve little meatballs in a chafing dish or on a platter with toothpicks as a satisfying snack for any men in attendance.

7 of 34

8 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Chicken and Sun-Dried-Tomato Meatballs

Go to Recipe

One serving has just 290 calories and 10.4 grams of total fat.

  • F&W's Ultimate Guide to Health and Well-Being

8 of 34

9 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Supersize Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Go to Recipe

There’s something to be said for eating one giant meatball atop a simple plate of spaghetti.

  • Great Italian Recipes from F&W

9 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Mushroom Barley Soup with Mini Meatballs

Go to Recipe

Grace Parisi replaces long-simmered beef with meatballs made from a quick mix of sirloin, egg, bread crumbs and cheese in this hearty soup.

  • F&W's Ultimate Soup Guide

10 of 34

11 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Go to Recipe

Spaghetti and meatballs is a crowd-pleasing classic Italian-American dish. The mixture of beef, veal and pork makes the meatballs really flavorful.

11 of 34

12 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Turkey Meatballs Two Ways

Go to Recipe

To spice these kid-friendly meatballs up for grown-ups, Katie Workman adds hot turkey sausage and crushed red pepper.

  • Video: Emeril Lagasse on Teaching Kids About Good Food

12 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Swedish Meatballs

Go to Recipe

In Sweden, making meatballs is a very social family affair. The more kids you can round up the better, since a child's palm makes the perfect-size ball. Here, Fredrika Stjärne uses her father’s recipe, with his secret ingredient (celery salt).

  • Video: Simple Tips for Cooking at Home

13 of 34

14 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Grilled Middle Eastern Meatballs

Go to Recipe

Pass crisp lettuce leaves and tangy yogurt with these cumin-spiced patties and assemble them at the table.

14 of 34

15 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Joyce's Vietnamese Chicken Meatballs in Lettuce Wraps

Go to Recipe

Jennifer Joyce gives chicken meatballs a heavenly sticky glaze by rolling them in sugar before baking.

  • Video: Ming Tsai on Making Asian Food Less Intimidating

15 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lamb Meatballs with Red Pepper and Chickpea Sauce

Go to Recipe

When these meatballs are almost cooked through, Nancy Silverton pushes them to one side of the skillet and adds the chickpeas so everything soaks up the luscious roasted red-pepper sauce.

16 of 34

17 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Italian Meatballs in Caper-Tomato Sauce

Go to Recipe

Milk-soaked bread helps make chef Massimiliano Alajmo’s beef-and-pork meatballs incredibly light; bits of chopped olive make them extra-flavorful. The thick tomato sauce coats the meatballs nicely and doubles as an excellent pasta sauce.

  • F&W's Ultimate Italian Recipe Guide

17 of 34

18 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Norwegian Meatballs

Go to Recipe

In her cookbook Scandilicious, Signe Johansen shares her unusual cocoa-sauced meatball recipe.

18 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Meatball-and-Provolone Subs

Go to Recipe

These tender, oversize pork-and-beef meatballs are stuffed into a warm hero roll with melted provolone cheese and topped with Matt Neal’s own chunky tomato sauce. As a shortcut, feel free to substitute six cups of jarred sauce.

  • Great Comfort Food Recipes from F&W

19 of 34

20 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Polpette in Spicy Tomato Sauce

Go to Recipe

A die-hard Sopranos fan, chef Ruggero Gadaldi says that the TV show inspires many of his hearty Italian dishes, including these polpette (meatballs).

20 of 34

21 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Meatball Spiedini

Go to Recipe

On the skewer, alternate these super-flavorful meatballs with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.

  • F&W's Ultimate Guide to Appetizers

21 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lamb Meatballs with Mint

Go to Recipe

This standout tapa, Albóndigas de Cordero a la Hierbabuena, combines two classics—lamb and mint.

22 of 34

23 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Asian Meatball Wraps

Go to Recipe

Serve the meatball-packed wraps with lots of hot sauce and lime wedges.

  • VIDEO: Ming Tsai on Making Gluten-Free Asian Food

23 of 34

24 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Meatballs with Peas

Go to Recipe

Eugenia Bone serves her meatballs with rice instead of pasta to soak up the fantastic marinara sauce.

24 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Tangy Lemon-Egg Soup with Tiny Meatballs

Go to Recipe

With its blend of chicken stock and vitamin-C-rich, this restorative soup (inspired by the classic Greek lemon-egg soup avgolemono) is a good way to fight colds or the flu.

  • Video: Michael Symon on Using Classic Greek Ingredients

25 of 34

26 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Olive-Mint Pesto Meatballs with Fettuccine

Go to Recipe

Some cooks are surprised when Grace Parisi tells them she mixes pesto into meatballs to add flavor quickly. If you’re pressed for time, good store-bought pesto works too.

  • F&W's Guide to Fast Recipes and Time-Saving Techniques

26 of 34

27 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Caesar Salad with Meatballs

Credit: Tina Rupp
Go to Recipe

This classic Caesar salad is incredibly good with the juicy meatballs David Burke serves in place of the usual croutons.

27 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Grilled Meatballs with Scallion and Shaved Cheese Salad

Go to Recipe

Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson makes his savory meatballs with a mixture of lamb, veal and bacon and, surprisingly, a little ricotta cheese to keep everything moist.

28 of 34

29 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Turkey-Date Meatballs with Lentils and Yogurt Sauce

Go to Recipe

Turkey is not only a soporific but a source of iron, zinc, potassium and B vitamins.

29 of 34

30 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Chicken-Meatball Yakitori

Credit: © Fredrika Stjärne
Go to Recipe

Sylvan Mishima Brackett makes these meatballs, known as tsukune, with hand-chopped meat and skin from the best pastured chicken he can get.

  • F&W's Ultimate Guide to Chicken

30 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fried Italian Turkey-and-Cheese Meatballs

Credit: © Tara Fisher
Go to Recipe

Fried meatballs are a Florentine specialty; this version can be made with any cooked meat, from roast or boiled beef to chicken and pork.

  • More Italian Recipes

31 of 34

32 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Pork Meatball Stew with Carrots and Pickled Mustard Greens


Credit: Christopher Testani
Go to Recipe

Rich pork broth—made with pork butt and smoked ham—brings together this comforting stew from brothers Andrew and Eric Dayton’s restaurant The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis.

32 of 34

33 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Albóndigas with Mushrooms


Credit: Christopher Testani
Go to Recipe

These Spanish-style meatballs are prepared with a quick béchamel, which makes them wonderfully moist and tender. They’re cooked in a deeply flavorful tomato-based sauce made with wine and brandy, then topped with crisp mushrooms.

33 of 34

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 34

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Vietnamese 
Lemongrass Meatballs