50+ Incredible Ways to Have Meatballs for Dinner

Spaghetti-and-meatballs is a family dinner winner, but wait until you see all of the other delicious things you can do with ground meat (or veggies!) and a little creativity. From healthy chicken meatballs to spicy pork meatballs to balls made out of leftover Thanksgiving stuffing, these are the best meatball recipes for any night of the week.

While you might think that the meaty rounds are an American weeknight dinner staple that's often paired with pasta recipes and a homemade tomato sauce, it turns out there's practically a version for every country. Meatballs are enjoyed worldwide, ranging from Spanish albondigas and Dutch bitterballen to kofte, which are eaten from India to Morocco. Their international popularity is not surprising — the juicy, tender morsels are the perfect accompaniment to sauces, sandwiches or even served all on their own at the end of a toothpick.

Before you get to rolling, here is some of our best advice for meatball-making: Sample your ball mixture before cooking. There's nothing worse than cooking an entire batch only to realize it's under or over-seasoned after it's too late. Simply sear a small piece of your mixture in a skillet until cooked through and take a bite to test for proper seasoning. Easy! And for the most tender meatballs ever, avoid overworking them when mixing with egg and breadcrumbs. Stick to a light stir until the ingredients are just combined. Looking to please vegan or vegetarian eaters? Swap in plant-based ground “meat” for beef or lamb without sacrificing flavor. Meatballs: They're truly a treat everyone can enjoy.