11 Best Meatball Recipes You’ve Never Heard of

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Every time I hear the word “meatballs”, the first thing that comes to my mind is barbecue meatballs. Why not? That recipe or food is one of the most famous or classic foods that we all love to eat.

I can’t really count how many times my wife or I make meatballs every year. It’s just a lot to count. Sometimes, when we are too lazy or in hurry, we just grab a bag of frozen meatballs either at Walmart or IKEA (if we go there to buy some furniture).

Just the other day, my wife and I were talking about what to eat for dinner. I’ll tell you that thinking about what to eat is the hardest part of our day. While my parents-in-law can cook just about anything, we don’t want them to cook for that day. It’s more like our time to cook.

We thought about making meatballs for dinner, which we did. There are so many great meatballs recipes out there. When I say many, I mean thousands.

We settled for our own version of BBQ Meatballs with Pineapple chunks.

The Best Easy-To-Make Meatballs Recipes

Anyhow, for those who are looking for easy meatball recipes, I have gathered the best of the best meatball recipes I could find over the internet.

They are on my to-make list and will definitely make them in the next couple of months.

For now, try these recipe and let me know what you think about them.

 

Cheesy Baked Meatball Skillet by Salt and Lavender

Tender and cheesy are two words that describe this baked meatball recipe is. It so flavorful that your taste buds will be watering and craving for more.

Ingredients:

Meatballs:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound lean ground pork
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (I used Italian flavor)
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (remove leaves)
  • 8 leaves fresh basil, torn
  • 1 (13.5 fluid ounce) can chunky tomatoes
  • 1 (13.5 fluid ounce) can tomato sauce
  • Pinch Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

To top skillet:

  • 1 cup grated mozzarella
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Click here for full instructions.

 

Italian Lentil Quinoa Meatballs by Stacey Homemaker

Italian seasoned mashed lentil quinoa meatballs that look like real meatballs. These meatballs are perfect with marinara sauce. Vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients:

Click here for full instructions.

 

slow cooker meatball stroganoff

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff by The Handy Foodie

The best slower cooker meatball stroganoff is creamy and tender, a perfect food for any occasion.

Ingredients:

Click here for full instructions.

 

Easy Swedish Meatball Casserole by The Typical Mom

Easy Swedish Meatball Casserole is a creamy comfort food topped will crispy onions, which can be made in less 25 minutes. Can’t beat this casserole recipe.

Ingredients:

Click here for full instructions.

 

Easy Greek Meatballs (Baked) by Delicious On A Dime

This easy Greek Meatballs (baked) recipe uses just a few single ingredients that are staple in your pantry. This recipe is packed with a ton of flavors that will make you to want to eat it more and more.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs ground beef (lean)
  • 1 red onion a small one
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3/4 cup panko or breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup dried parsley
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt

Click here for full instructions.

 

Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Meatballs

Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Meatballs by The Handy Foodie

This Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Meatball recipe is a family favorite. This recipe is both sweet and tangy that will leave you to want more.

Ingredients:

  • ½ bag of frozen meatballs (I used half of the 32 oz of the Great Value Fully Cooked Homestyle Meatballs)
  • 1 18 oz bottle of BBQ sauce (or any BBQ sauce of your choice)
  • 1 20 oz pineapple chunks with juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Click here for full instructions.

 

Sticky Sesame Meatballs by Sprinkle and Sprouts

Sticky, sweet, and yummy… That’s what these sticky sesame meatballs are. This recipe can be made in less than 30 minutes. Yes and that includes the prep time. Next time you have a party or don’t have time to cook, this recipe is your best option.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs

  • 1 tbsp oil – canola/veg/sunflower
  • 400 g  chicken mince (ground chicken)
  • 35 g  (1/4 cup) panko
  • 2 tsp  sesame seeds – I used a mixture of white and black
  • 1 tsp  sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • pinch red chilli flakes
  •  garlic cloves

For the sticky sauce

Click here for full instructions.

 

Thai Pork Meatballs by Sprinkle and Sprouts

If you like meatballs and Thai flavors, then, this recipe is for you. This can be served as an appetizer or even a meal, whichever you prefer.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs

  • 2 lemongrass stalks
  • 5 spring onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp clear honey
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • large handful fresh coriander
  • small handful fresh mint
  • 500 g (1.1 lb) minced pork

For the dipping sauce

  • 25 g (1oz) carrot
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1/8 cup water
  • 2 tbsp raw sugar
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp chopped coriander stalks

Click here for full instructions.

 

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Meal Prep

by Project Meal Plan

If you are looking for a meal plan and still want to include meatball recipes in your plan, then, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients: 

Meatball mixture:

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or EVOO)

For meal prep:

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3 inch pieces
  • celery stalks, cut into 3 inch pieces
  • more buffalo sauce

Click here for full instructions.

 

Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs by A Clean Bake

When you don’t have time to cook and do other things at the same time, slow cooker is your best companion. These slow cooker turkey meatballs are easy to create. No need to worry about the taste and tenderness of the food because slow cooker does the trick.

Ingredients:

Ingredients for the meatballs
  • 1 lb ground turkey or beef/pork, if you prefer
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/3 cup almond flour
  • 1 Tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 Tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, or to taste
Ingredients for the sauce

Click here for full instructions.

 

Albondigas Soup by Wander Spice

Soup and meatballs?…. That’s the perfect combination. This Albondigas soup is a traditional Mexican dish with a spicy kick to it. Yum.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. ground beef
  • 1 link Mexican chorizo
  • 1/2 tbs. ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tbs. Mexican oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ancho chili
  • tbs. minced garlic
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion
  • 2 tbs. tomato paste
  • 1 tbs. kosher salt
  • 5 Roma tomatoes
  • 1 cup queso fresco
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 2 tbs. Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 sprig mint minced

Click here for full instructions.

Final thoughts:

These recipes look yummy and my wife and I are going to make all of these in the next couple of months. Yum. Whether you like baked, Mexican style, or something else, you’ll find these meatballs recipes above.

Which of these are you going to try? I like my own version of the BBQ Meatballs recipe, what’s yours?