What to Serve With Meatballs: Thinking Beyond Spaghetti With 10 Recipes

Everyone's got an opinion on what to serve with meatballs, and it usually amounts to a plate of pasta and tomato sauce—and as delicious as spaghetti is, you're really limiting yourself if that's the only way you eat them! Meatballs are like the gifts that keep on giving, because they freeze really well after they've been cooked, so you can reheat and add to any sauce or dish. Baked, fried, or skewered, here are ten exciting ways to serve up spaghetti's favorite sidekick for dinner this week. Keep reading to find out what to eat with meatballs instead of pasta!

1. Baked Chicken Meatballs with Peperonata

Moist and flavorful meatballs made from ground chicken, speckled with bits of pancetta and glazed with a tangy tomato sauce—What's not to love here? Use white or dark meat, whichever you prefer.

2. Turkey Meatball Garlic Bread Heroes

What's better than a plate of meatballs with a side of garlic bread? Meatballs in your garlic bread. These hoagies/subs/grinders, or whatever you want to call them, are the definition of comfort food. Cue the napkins.

3. Glazed Japanese Chicken Meatballs on Skewers

Plenty of garlic, ginger, and a flavorful soy sauce marinade are the reason these skewered Japanese-inspired meatballs are so addictive. They make the perfect bar snack but you could also serve them over rice for a complete meal.

4. Fried Meatballs with Tahini Sauce

A word of advice: Don't overwork the meat mixture too much or it will get too tough. Coating the meatballs with toasted grains and then deep-frying them gives unparalleled crunch, while using a rasp-style grater will cause the garlic to practically melt into the nutty sauce.

5. Turkish Spiced Meatballs with Pomegranate Yogurt Sauce

Here's another perfect party appetizer: tender and spiced lamb meatballs with a cool and creamy pomegranate yogurt dipping sauce. If you're feeling extra adventurous, get your hands on some pomegranate molasses for drizzling over the yogurt. For a complete meal, wrap these guys up in some warm, fluffy pita and serve with a simple salad.

6. Poblano Albóndigas with Ancho Chile Soup

Albóndigas is Spanish for meatballs and these are lightened up with grated zucchini and served up in a rich cumin- and chile-spiced soup for a cozy, heartwarming dinner.

7. Pork Meatball Banh Mi

These Vietnamese sandwiches are delicious for lunch or dinner. Spicy pork meatballs, surrounded by pickled vegetables, are encased in a crisp baguette that packs a flavorful punch in every bite.

8. Thai Turkey Meatballs with Coconut Broth and Noodles

Vegetables, noodles and flavor-packed meatballs come together in this Thai dish, served in a savory coconut broth. If you love your meals spicy, add Thai red curry paste for an added kick! Even better, the recipe offers three tiers of serving, so everyone in the family is satisfied.

9. Coconut Zucchini Noodles and Spiced Meatballs

This healthy curry soup features spicy lamb meatballs, zucchini noodles, coconut milk, broccoli and lemongrass. Top with lime and cilantro, and you've got a gourmet meatball dish.

10. Spicy Lamb Meatballs with Raisin Pesto

Mint, yogurt and pesto come together to make these lamb meatballs taste divine. With strong spices and sweet raisins, these lamb meatballs come out juicy and ready to eat!