8 Juicy Meatball Recipes to Try on National Meatball Day

Time flies, it seems like yesterday when my dad used to drive 2.5 hours to take us to meet her every month, especially on meatball days, to enjoy the feast she prepared for us. I still remember how juicy those dishes were.

Luckily, when we visited her this time, I asked her to share her recipes, and she quickly handed me the secret recipe book my great-grandmother gave her. With her permission, I decided not to keep these recipes a secret but to share them with others. As National Meatball Day is just around the corner, I am sharing some of her recipes with you with my twist. 

1. Skillet French Onion Angus Meatballs

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 8 persons 
• Preparation time: 60 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 26 oz-Angus beef Meatballs 
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups (¼-inch-thick) sliced onions (about 2 large)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

Direction:

1. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat.
2. Add onions and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Stir in flour; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. 
3. Stir in broth, thyme, salt, and pepper; add the meatballs and boil. 
4. Reduce heat; simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to broil. Sprinkle cheese onto meatballs.
6. Broil 6 inches from heat until cheese is melted and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. 
7. Garnish with thyme, if desired. Serve immediately. 

2. Squash Spaghetti and Meatballs

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves : 3-4 persons 
• Preparation time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups homemade or store-bought marinara sauce
• One 12-ounce bag rosina italian style meatballs
• 2 bags Green Giant Frozen Veggie Spirals (like butternut squash)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese + extra for garnish
• Salt & freshly ground pepper

Direction: 

1. Combine the marinara sauce and meatballs in a large pot. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbling.
2. Place the veggie spirals in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cover with a lid. 
3. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. Drain any excess water for the skillet and use a fork to pull apart the spaghetti squash into strands carefully. 
5. Remove and set aside. Add the olive oil and garlic to the same skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
6.  Add the steamed veggie spirals and the Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Sprinkle the parmesan on the veggies and meatballs, and serve hot.

3. Homestyle Meatball Recipe 

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 4-5 persons
• Preparation time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 18 Meatballs
• 1 lb roma tomatoes
• ½ small white onion
• 2 small garlic cloves
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo (or more if you like spicy food)
• 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Direction: 

1. To make the chipotle sauce, blend the tomatoes, onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, and broth until smooth.(Use a blender if needed.)
2. Meanwhile, add one tablespoon of oil to preheated deep skillet or saucepot.
3. Add the chipotle sauce and frozen meatballs to the skillet.
4. Simmer for 20-22 minutes until meatballs are fully heated and sauce thickens.
5. Serve with rice, vegetables, beans or tortillas.
6. Garnish with cilantro. 

4. Sweet and Spicy Glazed Meatballs 

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 6-7 persons
• Preparation time: 30 Minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 tbsp gochujang
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp freshly minced garlic
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 24 frozen snack-size meatballs

Direction: 

1. Combine the maple syrup, water, gochujang, ketchup, garlic, sugar and worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.

For the Stove-Top

1. Place the sauce in a saucepot and simmer over medium heat. Add the frozen meatballs and toss to coat.  
2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.

For the Slow Cooker

1. Combine the sauce and the meatballs in your slow cooker and stir to coat well.  
2. Cook for 1 1/2 hours on high, stirring halfway through the cooking process.

5. Tater Tot Baked Meatball 

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 5-6 persons 
• Preparation: 40 minutes 

Ingredients: 

• 18 meatballs (26 oz.) 
• 1 bag (32 oz.) frozen tater tots
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 bag (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

Direction: 

1. Preheat oven to 350,
2. place meatballs in a single layer in a greased 9" X 13" pan. 
3. Top the meatballs with a single layer of tater tots. 
4. Mix soup with milk in a small mixing bowl and pour over the tater tots to cover. 
5. Cover with shredded cheddar cheese and bake 30-40 minutes. 
6. Serve Hot. 

6. Meatball Stuffed Pepper

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 2 persons
• Preparation time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 10 meatballs
• 4-5 bell peppers halved and cleaned
• 1 25-ounce jar marinara sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Direction: 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. 
2. Arrange meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and place on middle rack of preheated oven. 
3. Bake half bag for 20–21 minutes or full bag for 28–29 minutes.
4. Cut each bell pepper in half across the middle and clean the insides. 
5. Remove the terms to make little cups, then place them in a baking dish.
6. Place cooked farm rich meatballs into the pepper cups and pour marinara sauce. 
7. Place back in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until peppers are cooked.
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle mozzarella on top (not sparingly). 
9. Bake for another 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted. 
10. Let cool and eat up!

7.  Honey and Buffalo Sauce Meatball

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 8 persons 
• Preparation Time: 120 minutes  

Ingredient:

• 1 pack meatballs( 26 0z)
• ¼ cup apricot preserves 
• ¼ cup hot sauce
• ¼ cup honey 

Direction: 

1. Spray your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. Add the meatballs and turn on low heat. 
3. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over the meatballs. 
4. Stir to coat all the meatballs evenly with sauce. 
5. Cover the crock pot and heat on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. 
6. Serve warm with toothpicks.

8. Meatball Casserole

Image Source: Pinterest

• Serves: 4 persons 
• Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 oz) frozen cooked swedish-style meatballs, thawed
• 1 jar (12 oz) beef gravy
• 1 jar (4.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 4 biscuits from 1 bag (25 oz) frozen buttermilk biscuits (12 Count)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Direction: 

1. Heat the oven to 375°F
2. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. 
3. In a medium microwavable bowl, microwave the meatballs on Medium for 2 to 4 minutes or until thawed.
4. In 8-inch saucepan, mix the thawed meatballs and remaining ingredients except the biscuits and parsley. 
5. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is bubbly and thoroughly heated.
6. Pour mixture into baking dish. 
7. Arrange frozen biscuits over top.
8. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until biscuits are deep golden brown and filling is bubbly. 
9. Sprinkle individual servings with parsley.

READ MORE: How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole That’s Always a Hit