25 Hearty Meatball Dinners That Go Way Beyond Spaghetti
Always a hit with kids at the table.
Spaghetti and meatballs are a family favorite, but that’s just the start! That’s because there are so many ways to enjoy meatballs. Meatballs are just as satisfying when they’re stuffed inside a crusty hoagie roll, baked in a cheesy casserole, or simmered in a hearty soup. They even shine in unexpected places, such as a quick stir-fry or a grilled kebab. Whether you're cooking a weeknight dinner or hosting a weekend get-together, meatballs are soul-nourishing and crowd-pleasing, through and through.
This curation of meatball recipes has Ree Drummond’s tried-and-true favorites like spaghetti and meatballs, meatball casserole, plus plenty of other variations that put a fresh spin on the classic combination. While some recipes swap beef and pork for turkey or chicken, others sneak in fun fixings like salty feta and even grated apples. You can also play around with scrumptious sauces, from creamy stroganoff to sweet soy ginger.
And if you’re hoping to get supper squared away days ahead, meatballs also happen to be a meal-prep dream: You can roll them, cook them, and stash them in the fridge or freezer to reheat for healthy lunches or quick dinners at a later date. With a little planning, one pot of meatballs can carry you through the whole week! Scroll through these recipes, and you’ll quickly realize how versatile and delicious meatballs can be!
Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
This dinner idea has all the cozy comfort of classic spaghetti, but the tasty fixings are tucked inside a roasted spaghetti squash boat for a show-stopping presentation.
Get Ree’s Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs recipe.
Sheet Pan Soy Ginger Meatballs and Veggies
Baked on a sheet pan, this dinner couldn’t be easier to prepare. And with the sweet-and-spicy soy ginger sauce, this dish is packed with flavor, too.
Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Soy Ginger Meatballs and Veggies recipe.
Meatball Stroganoff
In this family-friendly take on traditional beef stroganoff, tender meatballs are coated in a creamy, savory sauce and spooned over soft egg noodles. In other words, it’s comfort food at its finest!
Get Ree’s Meatball Stroganoff recipe.
Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Crumbled feta adds moisture and warm, gooey flavor to these beef meatballs. Serve them over a bed of zesty zucchini noodles to cut through the richness.
Get Ree’s Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebabs
The next time you fire up the grill, try these kebabs! Threaded with fresh veggies and spicy meatballs, these skewers taste even more flavorful once charred. Don’t forget a scoop of white rice to soak up all the saucy goodness!
Get Ree’s Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebabs recipe.
Meatball Casserole
Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food and this cheesy casserole is no exception. It's like your favorite baked pasta dish complete with tons of tiny meatballs. There's a reason why it's been a Drummond family favorite for years.
French Onion Meatballs
Inspired by a cozy crock of French onion soup, these saucy meatballs are made with a combination of rich beef and juicy pork, plus caramelized onions and tons of nutty Gruyère cheese.
Turkey Meatballs
These are the ultimate make-ahead meatballs. Prep a batch on Sunday, then use them every which way throughout the week—over spaghetti squash, tossed with veggies for a stir-fry, or tucked into pita pockets.
Italian Meatball Soup
Inspired by traditional Italian wedding soup, this nourishing bowl features a tomato-based broth and tons of veggies. Make it the main course when you want a hearty and healthy dinner.
Pierogi and Meatball Skillet
A duo of Swedish and Polish culinary traditions join forces in this one-skillet dinner, which comes together in under one hour. While the spiced meatballs are made from scratch, the pierogi are store-bought and frozen.
Get the Pierogi and Meatball Skillet recipe.
Pork, Apple, and Sage Meatballs
Meatballs are delicious year-round, but this recipe is all we want to eat during fall. The pork meatballs get a little bit of sweetness and moisture from a grated Granny Smith apple, plus warm and cozy allspice and earthy sage.
Lamb Meatballs
Tuck these spiced lamb meatballs into pita pockets with tomatoes, cucumbers, and tzatziki for a flavorful handheld bite.
Get the Lamb Meatballs recipe.
Meatball Subs
Sure, you could serve these meatballs over a plate of spaghetti, but a sub is a more casual, crowd-friendly preparation. They're layered with a rich tomato sauce, two kinds of ooey-gooey cheese, and fresh herbs for the ultimate saucy bite.
Get the Meatball Subs recipe.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
The moment you've been waiting for—Ree's one and only spaghetti and meatball recipe that is dependable and delicious. Her recipe calls for equal parts ground beef and ground pork for a more complex and flavorful twirl.
Cocktail Meatballs
Hosting a party? These sweet and spicy meatballs need to be on your menu. They're tossed in a simple but flavorful combination of soy sauce, apricot preserves, sriracha, and chili sauce, which delivers some serious heat.
Get the Cocktail Meatballs recipe.
Ginger Meatballs With Sesame Broccoli
Consider this your new favorite weeknight dinner recipe. The umami-rich meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef, fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes, then are tossed with broccoli and peppers in a savory soy and hoisin sauce.
Italian Wedding Soup
Chances are you won't find this soup served at too many weddings. But the marriage of mini meatballs, colorful veggies, miniature pasta, and a warm savory broth is still something worth celebrating.
Get the Italian Wedding Soup recipe.
Turkey Swedish Meatballs with Cauliflower Mash
Traditional Swedish meatballs are made with ground beef, but this lighter and leaner version swaps in ground turkey. Serve them over a fibrous cauliflower mash for a nutritious dinner.
Get Ree's Turkey Swedish Meatballs with Cauliflower Mash recipe.
Sweet-and-Sour Pork Meatballs with Pineapple
Sweet pineapple balances the heat from red pepper flakes in these juicy pork meatballs. They're best enjoyed over a bed of rice, which will absorb some of that fantastic sauce.
Get Ree's Sweet-and-Sour Pork Meatballs with Pineapple recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Buffalo chicken wings are a game day staple, but these meatballs deserve a spot in your dinner rotation. They have a little bit of ranch dressing in the ground chicken mixture for a savory cooling flavor.
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