10+ Meatball Recipes to Try for Every Occasion

Meatballs are a simple, tasty dish that just about everyone loves. You can eat them on their own, tuck them into sandwiches, or toss them with pasta.

They’re easy to make and you can switch up the meats, spices, and sauces however you like.

If you want a quick meal or need something to impress guests, having a few trusty meatball recipes in your back pocket is a game changer. You don’t need fancy ingredients—just a bit of know-how and you’ll turn out something everyone wants to eat.

1) Classic Italian Meatballs with Parmesan and Garlic

Classic Italian meatballs are all about simple ingredients: ground beef, pork, and plenty of garlic. Parmesan cheese adds a rich, cheesy flavor that’s perfect with tomato sauce.

Breadcrumbs and eggs help the meatballs keep their shape. Toss in fresh parsley or Italian herbs for a pop of freshness.

You’ll want to cook them until they’re golden brown on the outside but still juicy inside. Serve them with pasta or just eat them straight—no shame in that.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
3. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through.

2) Swedish Meatballs with Allspice and Nutmeg

Swedish meatballs stand out for their gentle spices—allspice and nutmeg give them that signature warmth. A mix of beef and pork keeps things tender and juicy.

They usually come swimming in a creamy sauce, which makes them extra comforting. Serve them over noodles or mashed potatoes if you’re feeling classic.

Grated onion and garlic add depth. Breadcrumbs and eggs hold everything together without making the meatballs dense.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix meat, breadcrumbs, grated onion, garlic, egg, milk, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve with your favorite creamy sauce or gravy.

3) Juicy Oven-Baked Beef and Pork Meatballs

A mix of ground beef and pork makes for flavorful, juicy meatballs. Baking them in the oven means you don’t have to stand over a frying pan—and there’s less mess.

Season with garlic, Italian herbs, and Parmesan for a balanced flavor that works with or without tomato sauce. Baking at a high temp gives you browned outsides and tender insides.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.

4) Italian-American Meatballs with Fresh Parsley

Fresh parsley brings a bright, herby flavor to these Italian-American meatballs. Ground beef and pork keep them juicy.

Garlic, Parmesan, and parsley make each bite pop with flavor. You can cook them in tomato sauce or bake them—either way, they stay tender.

Be gentle when mixing, or the meatballs can turn out tough. Fresh ingredients really do make a difference.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix beef, pork, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
4. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve with your favorite tomato sauce if desired.

5) Veal and Pork Blend Meatballs with Cheese

For extra-tender meatballs, try mixing ground veal and pork. The combo keeps things moist and flavorful.

Parmesan cheese adds a savory kick. Toss in garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and parsley for a simple, balanced flavor.

Eggs bind everything together, so your meatballs hold up while baking. Cooking them at 330°F (165°C) keeps them juicy.

Serve with sauce or pasta—classic and always satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground veal
• 1 lb ground pork
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 330°F (165°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine veal, pork, Parmesan, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. Beat eggs and add to the meat mixture. Mix well.
4. Shape mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs.
5. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.

6) Simple Homemade Meatballs with Breadcrumbs and Egg

You can whip up tender meatballs by mixing ground meat with breadcrumbs and egg. The breadcrumbs keep things moist, and the egg helps everything stick together.

Chopped onion, garlic, salt, and pepper add basic flavor. If you want, toss in cheese or herbs for a little extra.

Shape the mixture into balls about the size of golf balls. Bake until they’re cooked through and browned on the outside.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and lightly browned.

You can find more tips on simple meatball recipes with breadcrumbs and eggs here.

7) Meatballs with Raisins and Romano Cheese

Meatballs with raisins and Pecorino Romano cheese are definitely a twist on the usual. The raisins bring a touch of sweetness, and the cheese adds a salty, nutty bite.

Garlic and parsley give extra flavor. If you want crunch, toasted pine nuts are a great addition. Usually, you’ll simmer these in tomato sauce until they’re nice and tender.

This Sicilian-inspired combo is unique but still super simple to make.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or chuck
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup golden raisins, chopped
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups tomato sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix beef, cheese, raisins, pine nuts, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Form the mixture into small balls.
4. Brown meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes.
5. Place browned meatballs in a baking dish.
6. Pour tomato sauce over meatballs.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.

8) Cheesy Meatballs with Mozzarella and Herbs

If you’re craving comfort food, these cheesy meatballs are the way to go. Mozzarella melts inside, so every bite is gooey and satisfying.

Fresh parsley and basil add a nice, herby lift. You can serve them with tomato sauce, pasta, or just snack on them straight from the pan.

Baking keeps them tender and juicy. Sprinkle extra herbs on top for a fresh finish—why not?

Making these doesn’t take much time, and honestly, they’re hard to mess up.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or chicken
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup marinara sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a bowl, toss together beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.

3. Grab a bit of the mixture, flatten it in your hand, and tuck a piece of mozzarella inside. Shape it into a ball, sealing the cheese right in the center.

4. Set the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meat looks cooked through.

6. If you like, warm up some marinara sauce and coat the meatballs in it.

7. Serve hot. Dig in and enjoy!

9) Quick and Easy Basic Meatballs

If you want meatballs in a hurry, you don’t need much. Just a handful of ingredients and the oven does most of the work. They’re juicy, flavorful, and you won’t have to deal with a greasy stovetop.

Mix ground beef with eggs, breadcrumbs, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Sometimes I throw in garlic powder or Italian herbs—depends on my mood.

Shape the mixture into balls, then space them out on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes. Check that they’re cooked through and have a little color on the outside.

They’re great for pasta, sandwiches, or just eating straight off the tray if you can’t wait.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Mix everything in a bowl until combined.

3. Roll into 1-inch balls.

4. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.

5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

10) Spaghetti Topped with Juicy Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs—hard to beat for comfort food. You get tender meatballs simmered in tomato sauce, all piled onto warm spaghetti.

Getting juicy meatballs isn’t complicated. I use a mix of ground beef and pork, plus breadcrumbs soaked in milk.

Simmer the meatballs right in the marinara. They soak up all that saucy flavor.

When everything’s ready, heap the meatballs onto your spaghetti and pour over extra sauce.

Honestly, it’s a pretty easy way to make dinner feel special.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 12 ounces spaghetti

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a big bowl, toss together the beef, pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, cheese, salt, and pepper.

3. Roll the mixture into meatballs.

4. Pop the meatballs onto a baking sheet and bake them for about 20 minutes, or until they look nicely browned.

5. Warm up marinara sauce in a large pan. Drop in the baked meatballs and let them simmer for 15 minutes.

6. While that’s going, cook your spaghetti following the package directions.

7. Plate up the spaghetti, pile on the meatballs and sauce, and dig in!