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When it comes to meatballs, most people look for something straightforward.
If you’ve ever tried to make meatballs, you know it can be a pain in the ass. They are either too soft or too hard, and the sauce doesn’t stick to them.
That’s why I like to have easy meatball recipes on hand when cooking for my family at home, so we don’t have to make them from scratch very often.
Here are my favorite easy meatball recipes that will make your life easier.
What Is Meatball?
Meatballs are a staple of Italian cooking that can be eaten with pasta, on pizza, or even in sandwiches. They’re made from ground meat mixed with breadcrumbs, eggs, seasoning, and herbs.
Everyone has their favorite way of eating meatballs—some people like them hot and spicy, while others prefer them well-done and salty.
Moreover, you can make different versions by adding different meats or vegetables to your meatball recipe.
Meatballs are also great for adding substance to soups and stews because they can help thicken the broth and add flavor.
Easy Meatball Recipes
1. Gingery Pork Meatball Subs
These Gingery Pork Meatball Subs are full of flavor and easy to make. Mix ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, ginger, garlic, and seasoning. Form into balls and bake until cooked through.
Serve on a toasted sub roll or wrap in parchment paper for a leisurely lunch or dinner! And don’t forget to toss them in a sweet-and-spicy sauce to add some extra zing.
The result is a delicious sandwich made with lean ground pork that will leave you feeling full and satisfied!
And you may think it’s even complicated to make, but all you need is:
- One lb. ground pork
- One baguette
- Two scallions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1/2 c. sweet chili sauce
- 1/2 seedless cucumber
- And lastly, thinly sliced red chile, Mayonnaise, cilantro, and fresh mint for serving.
In a large bowl, combine pork, ginger, scallions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Then heat the oven to 450°F.
Divide the pork mixture into 16 portions. Drop each portion onto a rimmed baking sheet and roast until browned and cooked for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Transfer it to another bowl. Then top with chili sauce.
Meanwhile, cut the cucumber into thin sticks. Cut each baguette crosswise into four pieces.
Then Spread the bread with mayonnaise and fill with meatballs, cilantro sprigs, cucumber slices, fresh mint leaves, and sliced chile peppers.
2. Sweet And Sour Meatballs
There’s nothing better than a big bowl of savory meatballs smothered in sweet and sour sauce.
The sweet and sour sauce gives the meatballs a sweet flavor that goes well with the savory sausage, which makes for an exciting combination.
You can use any meatball you want —we recommend beef, but chicken or turkey also works well.
And this is how you make it. First, you need the following ingredients:
- Two lb. frozen precooked cocktail-size meatballs
- One c. leftover cranberry sauce
- 1/4 c. rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. ketchup
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 c. water
- 1 tsp. brown sugar
After you must have assembled these ingredients, you should mix your Worcestershire sauce, cranberry sauce, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and water in a large saucepan.
Heat the mixture on medium-low and stir until smooth. If desired, strain through a sieve before returning to the pan.
Add meatballs and occasionally stir until they are heated—approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Skillet Meatballs
I’m a huge fan of meatballs and love making them in the oven. But sometimes, I want to make them on the grill. That’s where these skillet meatballs come in!
Skillet meatballs are cooked in a skillet, but they’re not like your typical meatball recipe.
The difference is that you don’t need to use any breadcrumbs or eggs. The key to their success is the “sauce” they go into mashed potatoes and ground beef.
You can use whatever kind of sauce you have on hand, whether it’s tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, or even ketchup!
4. Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
These Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs are a crowd-pleaser!
They are the perfect snack, appetizer, or main dish. It is easy to make, but it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—and they’re sure to please your guests!
These mini turkey meatballs are stuffed with mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs, and garlic. They’re then rolled in ground turkey and pan-fried for a flavorful meal ready to serve in 30 minutes!
But first, you MUST have the following:
- 20 oz. ground turkey
- 3 tbsp. Milk
- 1/3 c. Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- One large egg
- 1 tbsp. of finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- Three cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Four oz. Part-skim mozzarella. Cut them into 1/cube to two
- Two c. marinara sauce
- Grated Parmesan for garnish
- Parsley leaves, for garnish
- Bread for serving
- Pasta, for serving
Put together the turkey, milk, egg, bread crumbs, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in one large bowl.
To make a meatball, use a 2-tablespoon scoop to portion out some of the mixtures, then press one cube of mozzarella into the center.
Do the same for the rest of the turkey mixture in a bowl.
Place turkey meatballs in a 12″ skillet and heat oil on medium-high. Cook for 10 minutes, turning the balls occasionally until they are browned on most sides.
Add marinara sauce to the meatballs. Turn down the heat to medium-low and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through. That should be under 12 minutes.
Garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve on top of pasta or as an appetizer with bread.
5. Slow-Cooker Meatballs
These meatballs are unbelievably juicy, tender, and flavorful thanks to their low-and-slow cooking in the slow cooker.
These meatballs are ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings. They’re then simmered in a savory sauce until they have a delicious flavor that everyone will love.
And if you’re not into slow cooking, just pour them into a baking dish and cook them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or so.
You will need:
- 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
- 2 oz. Parmesan cheese
- Two lb. 85-percent lean ground beef
- c. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- c. milk
- One large egg
- Seven clove garlic
- One can of crushed tomatoes
- One can of diced tomatoes
- One can of tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 lb. Italian sausage
- canola oil
- One medium sweet onion
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp. sugar
- One small bunch of fresh basil
6. Air Fryer Meatball Sub
This Air Fryer Meatball Sub is a classic sandwich that will satisfy your craving for meatballs, cheese, and bread.
It’s easy to make, and it only takes about 20 minutes!
You can use this recipe as a base, then add whatever you like to make it your own.
The breading on this sub tastes like your favorite Italian deli sandwich. But it does contain all the carbs and calories from the bread!
Let me show you how to make it instead of tempting you with how delicious this recipe can get.
First, have all these ingredients handy:
- Two large eggs
- 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1/3 c. panko
- Four large cloves of garlic (2 grated and two chopped)
- 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese,
- 1/2 c. flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Eight oz. sweet Italian sausage, remove the casings
- Eight oz. ground beef
- One lb. cherry tomatoes
- One red chile, sliced
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- Four small hero rolls, split and toasted
- 6 tbsp. ricotta cheese
- Basil, for serving
Whisk the vinegar, eggs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Stir in panko, then let sit for 1 minute. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, grated garlic, and parsley. Lastly, add sausage and beef; gently mix to combine all ingredients.
Sculpt 20 balls about 1½ inches each from the meat mixture. Then place them on an air fryer rack, with enough space between them, so they’re not touching. Cook in batches if necessary
Cook air-fryer meatballs at 400°F for 5 minutes.
Toss your chiles, tomatoes, and chopped garlic in a bowl with enough olive oil to generously coat the ingredients. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Continue air-frying meatballs for about 5 to 6 minutes or until cooked through.
Top toasted rolls with ricotta, add meatballs, roasted tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, sprinkle chile and basil over the top.
7. Picadillo Meatballs
Picadillo Meatballs are a delicious choice for busy weeknights!
These meatballs are made from ground beef, chorizo, and potatoes, and they’re topped with a mixture of bread and panko bread crumbs.
They’re served over rice in the classic Mexican dish of Picadillo (which translates to “mixed stuff”).
All you need for this dish is:
- One c. long-grain white rice
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- One medium onion, finely chopped
- Two cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 c. pimiento-stuffed olives, chopped
- 1/4 c. raisins, chopped
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- Kosher salt
- pepper
- 1 1/4 lb. ground beef
- One 14-ounce can of tomato sauce
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Fresh cilantro for serving
And remember to cook the rice according to the description.
8. Classic Italian Meatballs
These traditional Italian meatballs are a delicious blend of ground beef, veal, and pork, enhanced with garlic, fresh parsley, and Parmesan cheese. They are typically served with a rich marinara sauce over pasta.
The mixture of meats provides a rich, complex flavor, while the breadcrumbs and eggs ensure a tender, moist texture. These meatballs are perfect for a hearty family dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef, veal, and pork
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Parmesan cheese
- Eggs
- Bread crumbs
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
- Combine the meats in a large bowl.
- Add minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, beaten eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until just combined.
- Form into balls and bake or fry until cooked through.
9. Swedish Meatballs
Swedish meatballs are famous for their creamy, savory gravy. Made with a mix of ground beef and pork, these meatballs are seasoned with allspice and nutmeg, giving them a unique and delicious flavor.
They are typically served with a rich, creamy sauce made from beef broth and heavy cream. These meatballs are perfect for a comforting meal and are often served with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef and pork
- Bread crumbs
- Milk
- Onion
- Egg
- Allspice and nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Flour
- Beef broth
- Heavy cream
Preparation:
- Mix ground meats with breadcrumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, beaten egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Form into balls and fry until browned.
- Make a gravy with butter, flour, beef broth, and heavy cream.
- Simmer meatballs in the gravy until cooked through.
10. Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs are a healthier alternative to traditional beef or pork meatballs. They are often baked, making them lower in fat.
These meatballs are made with ground turkey, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese, and are seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. They are perfect for a lighter meal without sacrificing flavor and can be served with pasta, in a sub, or as an appetizer.
Ingredients:
- Ground turkey
- Bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
- Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Form into balls and bake until cooked through.
11. BBQ Meatballs
BBQ meatballs are a flavorful and tangy option, perfect for serving as an appetizer or main dish. These meatballs are made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and finely chopped onion, and are simmered in a tangy BBQ sauce.
The sauce caramelizes as it cooks, giving the meatballs a rich, smoky flavor. They are great for parties, game days, or any casual gathering.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Bread crumbs
- Egg
- Onion
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- BBQ sauce
Preparation:
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, beaten egg, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Form into balls and bake or fry until browned.
- Simmer meatballs in BBQ sauce until fully cooked.
Conclusion
Meatballs are one of those foods that you either love or hate, but some of us, especially if you’re in a hurry, just can’t bear the effort it takes to make them from scratch.
Luckily for you, there are easy meatball recipe options.
I hope you found these meatball recipes helpful! If you ever try out any of these dishes, please let us know how your family enjoyed them.
What’s more, we would love to see photos of the final product, so if you could take a photo or two and share them with us (and the rest of our readers), that would be fantastic!
7 Meatball Recipes To Make at Home
Ingredients
Gingery Pork Meatball Subs
Sweet And Sour Meatballs
Skillet Meatballs
Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
Slow-Cooker Meatballs
Air Fryer Meatball Sub
Picadillo Meatballs
Classic Italian Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs
Turkey Meatballs
BBQ Meatballs
Directions
- Choose your preferred recipe
- Gather all the required ingredients
- Make your own delicious Meatballs
