10+ Recipes Using Meatballs Simple for Easy Weeknight Dinners
Meatballs are a delicious and versatile option for meals. You can create a variety of dishes using this simple ingredient. A few easy recipes can transform meatballs into quick and satisfying meals for your family.
Whether you prefer classic spaghetti and meatballs or want to try something new, there are endless possibilities. You can easily adapt these recipes to fit your tastes and dietary needs.
1) Spaghetti with Classic Italian Meatballs
This recipe features delicious spaghetti topped with classic Italian meatballs. It’s a simple dish that brings comfort and flavor to your table. The meatballs are juicy and flavorful, simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
To start, mix ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, eggs, and spices. Shape the mixture into meatballs and brown them in a pan.
Next, simmer your meatballs in a tomato sauce to let the flavors blend. Cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions.
Serve the spaghetti topped with meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with grated cheese for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
- ½ pound (225 g) ground pork
- 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups (475 ml) marinara sauce
- 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Mix ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, and spices in a bowl.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add marinara sauce and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Serve spaghetti with meatballs on top and sprinkle with cheese.
2) Swedish Meatballs with Creamy Gravy
Swedish meatballs are delicious and easy to make. They are often served in a creamy gravy that adds great flavor. You can enjoy them over noodles or mashed potatoes.
To get started, you will need some ground meat, breadcrumbs, and spices. The creamy gravy is made with butter, flour, broth, and heavy cream. This combo makes the meatballs juicy and flavorful.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey
- ½ cup (50g) breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp (5g) salt
- ½ tsp (2.5g) pepper
- 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsp (30g) butter
- 2 tbsp (15g) flour
Cooking Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
- Roll into small meatballs.
- Brown meatballs in a pan with butter.
- Remove meatballs and set aside.
- In the same pan, whisk flour into butter until golden.
- Slowly add beef broth and cream, stirring until smooth.
- Return meatballs to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes.
3) Chili and Jelly Meatballs
Chili and jelly meatballs are a fun and tasty dish that’s very easy to make. You just need a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker to prepare them.
For this recipe, you will combine frozen meatballs with grape jelly and chili sauce. The flavors blend together perfectly, creating a sweet and tangy sauce.
You can serve these meatballs at parties or as a quick meal. They are sure to please both kids and adults alike!
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen meatballs
- 1 cup grape jelly
- 1 cup chili sauce
Cooking Instructions
- Place the frozen meatballs in a slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix the grape jelly and chili sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-6 hours, until heated through.
4) Meatball Stroganoff with Mushrooms
Meatball Stroganoff with mushrooms is a quick and tasty dish. You can use frozen meatballs for convenience. The creamy mushroom sauce makes it delicious and comforting.
Start by cooking the meatballs in a pan. Add mushrooms and let them cook until soft. Then, mix in sour cream and broth to create a rich sauce.
Serve this hearty dish over egg noodles or rice. It’s great for a busy weeknight dinner. Everyone will enjoy this easy meal!
Ingredients
- Frozen meatballs
- Mushrooms, sliced
- Sour cream
- Beef or chicken broth
- Egg noodles or rice
Cooking Instructions
- Cook the frozen meatballs in a skillet over medium heat until done.
- Add sliced mushrooms and cook until soft.
- Stir in sour cream and broth.
- Let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Serve over egg noodles or rice. Enjoy!
5) Orange-Glazed Meatballs
Orange-glazed meatballs are a delicious and easy dish to make. The sweet and tangy flavor from the orange sauce makes them a hit for any meal. They’re perfect as an appetizer or served over rice for dinner.
To make these meatballs, you can use frozen or homemade meatballs. Pair them with orange marmalade and soy sauce for a quick and tasty sauce. Simply cook the meatballs and coat them with the glaze.
You will love how simple and satisfying this recipe is. It’s a great choice for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 20 oz. frozen meatballs
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup orange marmalade
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix orange juice, marmalade, and soy sauce.
- Place meatballs in a baking dish and pour the sauce over them.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.
6) Easy Meatball Casserole
This Easy Meatball Casserole is a quick and tasty dish perfect for busy nights. You can whip it up using simple ingredients that you might already have at home. Best of all, it’s a one-pan meal, so cleanup is a breeze.
Start by mixing uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, milk, spices, and frozen meatballs in a baking dish. Bake it all together for a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy.
You don’t have to boil the pasta first, which saves you time. Plus, it’s cheesy and comforting, making it a great choice for dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked pasta
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian spices
- 12 frozen meatballs
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large baking dish, mix together pasta, marinara sauce, water, milk, and spices.
- Add frozen meatballs and stir to combine.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil, add cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly.
7) Bourbon BBQ Meatballs
Bourbon BBQ meatballs are a tasty and easy dish to prepare. They are perfect for gatherings or as a simple weeknight meal. The mix of BBQ sauce and bourbon adds a sweet and smoky flavor that you will love.
To make this dish, you can use frozen meatballs for convenience. You’ll cook them in your slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen meatballs
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- â…“ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon grated onion
Cooking Instructions
- Place the frozen meatballs in your slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, and molasses.
- Pour this mixture over the meatballs.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours (140°F to 170°F or 60°C to 75°C).
- Serve and enjoy!
8) Sticky Mongolian Meatballs
Sticky Mongolian meatballs are a tasty dish you can whip up in no time. They combine sweet and savory flavors that are sure to please everyone at the table. Meatballs are made from ground beef, seasoned with garlic and ginger, then coated in a delicious glaze.
You will love how easy these meatballs are to prepare. Just mix the ingredients, form the meatballs, and bake them. They pair well with rice or veggies for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Form the mixture into meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
- Mix cornstarch with sesame oil and drizzle over the meatballs before serving.
9) Meatballs in Chimichurri Sauce
Meatballs in chimichurri sauce are a tasty and easy dish. This sauce adds a fresh and zesty flavor to your meatballs. You can enjoy them as a main dish or serve them as an appetizer.
To prepare the dish, start with ground meat of your choice. You can mix beef and pork for great taste. Combine the meat with breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices.
For the chimichurri sauce, blend fresh parsley, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. You can adjust the seasoning with salt and crushed red pepper.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 green onions, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and crushed red pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix the ground meats, breadcrumbs, green onions, and garlic in a bowl.
- Roll the mixture into meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- For the chimichurri, blend parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Serve meatballs topped with chimichurri sauce. Enjoy!
10) Basil and Lemon Chicken Meatballs
Basil and lemon chicken meatballs are a fresh and tasty option for your meals. They combine the bright flavors of lemon and the aromatic touch of basil. These meatballs are perfect for a quick dinner or a delightful lunch.
To start, mix ground chicken with bread crumbs, lemon zest, and mozzarella. Then, add pesto and fresh basil to give it a great flavor.
These meatballs only take about 30 minutes to bake. Serve them with pasta or on their own for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs and milk; set aside.
- Combine chicken, lemon zest, mozzarella, pesto, and basil.
- Add the breadcrumb mixture, and mix well.
- Then, season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Form the mixture into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through.