100 Best Meatball Recipes - MyRecipes (2024)

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Meatballs are the easiest way to add protein to almost any dish. These meatball recipes start from scratch or from frozen to help you get dinner on the table in no time. From meatball soup recipes to meatball sandwich recipes, these easy weeknight dinners are loaded with flavor. Try adding meatballs to salads or stuffing them into pitas for a quick work lunch.

Meatballs in Brussels Sprout Cups

Meatballs in Brussels Sprout Cups Recipe

Friends will love the ingenuity of Meatballs in Brussels Sprout Cups. Little meatballs are cradled in Brussels sprout cups for a clever seasonal appetizer.

Turkey Meatball Stroganoff

Turkey Meatball Stroganoff Recipe

Frozen meatballs and the slow cooker make getting a home-cooked comfort meal of Turkey Meatball Stroganoff on the table super easy.

Lemon, Orzo, and Meatball Soup

Lemon, Orzo, and Meatball Soup Recipe

Lemon, Orzo, and Meatball Soup is our hearty twist on chicken noodle soup, featuring small grains of orzo pasta and savory chicken meatballs.

Meatball Calzones

Meatball Calzones Recipe

Premade pizza dough offers a shortcut to hearty Meatball Calzones.

Korean Meatballs

Korean Meatballs Recipe

The hallmarks of Korean cuisine are garlicky, salty, and sweet flavors, so our essential ingredients here are garlic, lower-sodium soy sauce, and brown sugar. Serve the meatballs with store-bought kimchi and Quick Pickled Cucumbers to add characteristic heat and tang to the meal.

Chicken Meatball and Greens Soup

Chicken Meatball and Greens Soup Recipe

Full of meatballs, pasta, and kale, a bowlful of Chicken Meatball and Greens Soup is a welcome on a wintry evening.

Turkey Meatball Subs

Turkey Meatball Subs Recipe

Kids will love when homemade Turkey Meatball Subs are on the dinner menu.

Herbed co*cktail Meatballs with Chunky Tomato Sauce

Herbed co*cktail Meatballs with Chunky Tomato Sauce Recipe

Crackers add a buttery bite to Herbed co*cktail Meatballs with Chunky Tomato Sauce. Serve meatballs as an appetizer or with your favorite pasta noodles.

Country-Style Spaghetti

Country-Style Spaghetti Recipe

Make traditional spaghetti and meatballs in a flash by taking a shortcut with frozen meatballs and an easy sauce of canned tomatoes, tomato paste and dried herbs.

Tangy Cranberry Meatballs

Tangy Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

A fun alternative to traditional meatballs, this Tangy Cranberry Meatball recipe is a great option for parties or as an appetizer.

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs)

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) Recipe

These meatballs make a terrific party snack. Look for flat skewers at Asian markets, or use two skewers for each group of meatballs so they'll turn easier.

Mini Turkey Meatballs with Wagon Wheel Pasta

Mini Turkey Meatballs with Wagon Wheel Pasta Recipe

Put a twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs with this to-die-for dish. Turkey meatballs and fun wagon wheel pasta sprinkled with fresh Parmesan cheese is the perfect combination for any pasta lover.

Meatballs with Tomato Ragu and Creamy Polenta

Meatballs with Tomato Ragu and Creamy Polenta Recipe

Baking the meatballs sets their shape so they'll stay whole when simmered in the tomato sauce.

Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Recipe

These too-easy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs are the perfect appetizer for your next party. Meatballs may be thoroughly cooked without sauce and frozen. Thaw and reheat with sauce.

Vietnamese Herb Salad

Vietnamese Herb Salad Recipe

Serve this herb- and veggie-filledVietnamese-stylesalad with Turkey Meatballs.

Cranberry Meatlballs

Cranberry Meatlballs Recipe

Cranberries are a holiday twist on the grape jelly version of these co*cktail meatballs!

Union Hotel Grand Meatballs

Union Hotel Grand Meatballs Recipe

Notes: These savory meatballs complement either of our spaghetti sauces.

Greek Pasta with Meatballs

Greek Pasta with Meatballs Recipe

This take-off on spaghetti and meatballs uses rice-shaped pasta, ground lamb, and feta cheese. Some kids may prefer a milder cheese such as shredded mozzarella. Break apart the meatballs before serving to younger children to make the meatballs easier to eat.

Italian Meatball Sliders

Italian Meatball Sliders Recipe

Skip the pasta and try Italian meatball sliders instead. Best of all, you can make the meatballs ahead and freeze them for a quick meal on busy nights.

Garden Tomato Sauce over Pasta

Garden Tomato Sauce over Pasta Recipe

We love this sauce as a meatless meal over hearty pasta. Or try it in lasagna or a meatball sub.

Italian Meatballs with Spaghetti

Spaghetti with Meatballs Recipe

Homemade meatballs add rich flavor to a simple pasta night. Serve meatballs and spaghetti with a crisp green salad.

Lamb Meatballs

Lamb Meatballs Recipe

Lemon zest adds a nice bright lift to the spicy sauce and complements the Greek inspired flavors of these meatballs.

Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

Cranberry BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Cranberry jelly is the secret to these sweet and savory BBQ meatballs.

Big Spicy Meatballs

Big Spicy Meatballs Recipe

This freezer-friendly meatball recipe makes Italian night a breeze. You can make the meatballs just before using, or make them in a large batch and freeze them for later. These delicately-spiced meatballs get their bold flavor from Italian seasoning, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese.

Korean Spaghetti and Meatballs

Korean Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Korean kimchi invigorates a standby weeknight dinner. Bring the pasta water to a boil while you make the meatballs.

Southwestern-Style Meatballs

Southwestern-Style Meatballs Recipe

These meatballs are made with onion, minced garlic, corn tortilla, egg, ground sirloin, and chipotle chile.

Chicken-Meatball Yakitori

Chicken-Meatball Yakitori Recipe

Sylvan Mishima Brackett makes these meatballs, known as tsukune, with hand-chopped meat and skin from the best pastured chicken he can get.

Meatball Sub Casserole

Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe

It's so easy to enjoy this classic sub in casserole form! Grab a fork and sink your teeth in to this delectable Meatball Sub Casserole.

Asian Meatballs

Asian Meatballs Recipe

Asian Meatballs are a fun and flavorful way to kick off Christmas dinner. Mix in fresh snap peas for more color and crunch.

Meatballs with Chutney Sauce

Meatballs with Chutney Sauce Recipe

Sink your teeth into these tender, juicy, and succulent meatballs. Place them atop soft, hot cooked couscous and drench with chutney sauce.

Italian Meatball Sliders

Italian Meatball Sliders Recipe

Little burgers deliver big flavor as Italian Meatball Sliders show. Marinara sauce replaces the ketchup and basil serves as a sub for lettuce.

Avocado-Mint Tzatziki

Grilled Middle Eastern Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Grilled Middle Eastern Turkey Meatballs are a great pick-up appetizer or main dish. Serve in flatbread and top with Avocado-Mint Tzatziki.

Shrimp and Pork Meatball Wraps with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Shrimp and Pork Meatball Wraps with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce Recipe

For extra-crispy meatballs, roll them in panko before pan-frying; you'll need a little more oil.

Chipotle-Barbecue Meatballs

Chipotle-Barbecue Meatballs Recipe

Start with a package of frozen meatballs and cook with bottled barbecue sauce and cherry preserves for this easy, 5-ingredient appetizer.

Cranberry Meatballs

Cranberry Meatballs Recipe

Try a unique twist on a classic recipe by cooking meatballs in a decadent, cranberry, orange marmalade and soy sauce mixture.

Vietnamese Herb Salad

Turkey Meatballs with Herb Salad Recipe

Lime juice and cilantro give Betsy Dasenko's turkey meatballs bright flavor. Try them with a Vietnamese herb salad.

Superfast Kofte

Superfast Kofte Recipe

Kofte, Turkish meatballs often grilled on a stick, can be made from ground lamb, beef, or a combination.

Spicy Pork Skewers

Spicy Pork Skewers Recipe

Moroccan meat skewers, or kefta, are made with beef and formed into sausage shapes. Our variation uses pork rolled into little meatballs.

Chimichurri Beef Meatball Hoagies

Chimichurri Beef Meatball Hoagies Recipe

These deliciously flavored meatballs served on hoagie rolls or French baguette rolls will be the new favorite at your weeknight dinner table or your neighborhood football party. The sauce makes plenty for cooking the meatballs, and there's even enough to spoon over the sandwiches for a boost of flavor.

Mexican Meatball Soup

Mexican Meatball Soup Recipe

Mexican Meatball Soup combines favorite Mexican flavors, veggies, and hearty meatballs. Kick this soup up a notch by using a can of diced tomatoes with chiles to add more south-of-the-border flavor to this one-dish meal.

Italian Meatballs in Caper-Tomato Sauce

Italian Meatballs in Caper-Tomato Sauce Recipe

Milk-soaked bread helps make chef Massimiliano Alajmo's beef-and-pork meatballs incredibly light; bits of chopped olive make them extra-flavorful. The thick tomato sauce coats the meatballs nicely and doubles as an excellent pasta sauce.

Meatballs and Spaghetti

Meatballs and Spaghetti Recipe

It takes a tender hand to make a light meatball. The key is in the rolling; you want to leave air pockets in the meatballs, so shape the balls gently in your hand, making sure not to squash them.

Turkey Meatballs Two Ways

Turkey Meatballs Two Ways Recipe

Ground turkey, panko (Japanese bread crumbs), Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a few other ingredients make delicious, kid-friendly meatballs. To spice them up for grown-ups, Workman adds hot turkey sausage and crushed red pepper into the basic meatball mixture.

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti and Meatballs

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Start with a healthy, basic ingredient like whole-wheat spaghetti to whip up a new and improved classic--Whole-Wheat Spaghetti and Meatballs. We mixed together ground flaxseed and Parmesan cheese with ground turkey for health--and tasty--meatballs.

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Grace Parisi's kids love a particular brand of canned soup filled with chicken meatballs and soggy pasta, but she prefers real minestra maritata (Italian wedding soup). She makes tiny pork meatballs and simmers them with orzo, chickpeas, spinach and parmesan. She occasionally substitutes green beans for the spinach, depending on who is at the table.

Orecchiette with Sausage Meatballs, Broccoli Rabe, and Garlic

Orecchiette With Sausage Meatballs, Broccoli Rabe, and Garlic Recipe

Five ingredients are all you need for this hearty pasta meal of Orecchiette With Sausage Meatballs, Broccoli Rabe, and Garlic. Link Italian sausage aids in the quick meatball preparation, while broccoli rabe provides an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K.

Turkey Meatball Subs

Turkey Meatball Subs Recipe

These turkey meatball subs are perfect as a gameday sandwich or even a weeknight family meal. The meatballs are juicy and full of flavor making it a highly rated turkey recipe.

Meatless Meatballs over Herbed Spaghetti Squash

Meatless Meatballs over Herbed Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Reminiscent of classic spaghetti and meatballs, this meatless recipe will please both vegetarians and meat lovers. Spaghetti squash is a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta noodles, while soy meatballs stand in for the beef variety.

Meatballs in White Wine Sauce with Rustic Bread

Meatballs in White Wine Sauce with Rustic Bread Recipe

Meatballs in White Wine Sauce with Rustic Bread gives new life to an ingredient staple--lean ground beef. These meatballs are pumped with flavor with the addtion of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, ricotta cheese, and sundried tomatoes--and then simmered in white wine.

Spaghetti and Easy Meatballs

Spaghetti and Easy Meatballs Recipe

Serve a classic Italian-inspired dish for dinner. The easy meatball method will make you skip buying store-bought meatballs for good. Whether you're serving adults or a family-friendly crew, this dish is a pitch-perfect crowd pleaser.

Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albóndigas)

Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albóndigas) Recipe

This Mexican meatball soup features homemade beef-and-rice meatballs simmered in chicken broth with vegetables and fragrant spices, such as cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and cloves.

Lion's Head Meatballs in Spicy Coconut Sauce

Lion's Head Meatballs in Spicy Coconut Sauce Recipe

These spicy meatballs are called "Lion's Head" because of their large size. Also, lions are believed to ward off evil. You can make the meatballs a day or two ahead, store them covered in the refrigerator, and heat them in the sauce before serving. Decrease the red pepper for a milder flavor.

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

The few minutes it takes to prepare our Quick Marinara Sauce makes it worth your while. The meatballs themselves are light and tender due to the milk-softened breadcrumbs and egg yolk. (Using whole eggs can result in meatballs that are a bit rubbery in texture.)

Turkey Meatballs

Turkey Meatballs Recipe

These versatile meatballs have so many serving possibilities. Dunk the meatballs into extra tomato sauce with a toothpick for an easy appetizer, stuff into a hoagie roll and top with cheese for a hearty sandwich, or top on spaghetti noodles for a quick weeknight dinner.

Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Resistant starch: 2 grams

Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce

Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce Recipe

It'll be hard for your family to resist the comforting aroma wafting through the kitchen as you prepare Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce. The lamb meatballs are flavorful enough on their own but the spiced sauce complements them well.

Moroccan Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce

Moroccan Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Seasoned meatballs simmer in an aromatic tomato sauce for a Mediterranean-style dinner. Use kitchen shears to coarsely chop the tomatoes while they are still in the can. You can shape the meatballs in advance and store them in the freezer to save time. The rest of the recipe is best prepared and cooked the same day.

Garlicky Meatball Pasta

Garlicky Meatball Pasta Recipe

In about 30 minutes, you can have a bowl of Garlicky Meatball Pasta on your table--homemade meatballs included. Refrigerated fettuccine and commercial marinara sauce helps to quicken this quick and easy pasta dinner. Serve with Mixed Greens Salad.

Glazed co*cktail Meatballs image

Glazed co*cktail Meatballs Recipe

These mini meatballs are perfect for holiday parties and tailgating. We made them healthier by forgoing sodium-heavy ingre­dients like the usual ketchup and chili sauce and including whole-grain bulgur in place of breadcrumbs. You can also serve a larger portion of these meatballs for weeknight dinner. To up the kid-friendly factor, omit the ground red pepper in the glaze and serve with mashed potatoes (à la Swedish meatballs).

Chinese-American Thanksgiving Meatballs

Chinese-American Thanksgiving Meatballs Recipe

This dish isn't traditional to anyone but was inspired by author Lam's parents' refusal to eat roast turkey and the time they halted his Thanksgiving protest by bribing him with spaghetti and meatballs. It's based on a classic Chinese dumpling filling, made instead into meatballs and poached in a gingery tomato sauce. The technique of mixing the meat until just tacky gives it that characteristic pot-sticker-filling bounciness. The tender, saucy meatballs pair wonderfully with white or brown rice.

Spiced Meatball, Butternut, and Tomato Stew image

Spiced Meatball, Butternut, and Tomato Stew Recipe

These tender meatballs have a mild, warm spice. Chopped cilantro at the end adds a nice burst of freshness. You can substitute ground chicken, if desired.

Miso Noodle Soup with Meatballs image

Miso Noodle Soup with Meatballs Recipe

Salty, savory miso becomes the backbone of this soup; try adding it to dressings and marinades too. We add chile-and-honey-spiked pork meatballs to the soup; you could also use shredded rotisserie chicken breast or cubed tofu. Want to get ahead on tomorrow's dinner? Double the meatball mixture, shape half into patties, and sear for Asian-style sliders.

Appetizer Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs)

Appetizer Meatballs (Frozen Meatballs) Recipe

When a quick appetizer is needed for a get-together, try the sauce over prepared meatballs. From Cheryl Crowson: Sundance, Wyoming. Recipe published in Quick Cooking January/February 2005.

Smoky Meatballs in Serrano Ham–Tomato Sauce

Smoky Meatballs in Serrano Ham-Tomato Sauce Recipe

This zesty one-dish meal combines beef, a great source of zinc, with vitamin C–rich tomatoes. To prepare ahead, cook meatballs, cool, and freeze in a zip-top plastic bag for up to one month. When you're ready to serve the dish, defrost the meatballs in the refrigerator and sauté the ham. Follow the recipe, adding the thawed meatballs along with the tomatoes to the cooked onion mixture. Serve with a bold and bright red Rioja wine.

Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce

Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce Recipe

Feed a crowd of 8 tonight, or cook 6 ounces pasta to serve 4 and freeze half the meatball mixture for later. Spoon into whole-wheat hoagie rolls instead of over pasta.

Beef-and-Sausage Meatballs

Beef-and-Sausage Meatballs Recipe

"The stuffing mix in these meatballs bumps up the flavor, and they're super moist, too."

Tasha Pettit, 37, Jewell, Iowa

Turkey Meatball Subs

Turkey Meatball Subs Recipe

These Turkey Meatball Subs with be a big hit with your family. The balsamic vinegar in the sauce really adds a whole level of flavor. Plus, these subs make great leftovers!

Tortilla Soup with Chorizo and Turkey Meatballs

Tortilla Soup with Chorizo and Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Smoked chorizo gives Tortilla Soup with Chorizo and Turkey Meatballs a deep, smoky flavor without overpowering. This Tortilla Soup is a perfect go-to for parties or quick get-togethers.

Chicken-Pecan Meatballs

Chicken-Pecan Meatballs Recipe

Bread makes for a good meatball. Ground chicken is a little wetter than beef, so this creation borrows two common practices: the addition of breadcrumbs (though you'll take the time to make fresh) and the building of a panade, which is essentially really, really soggy bread. The flavor profile nods to the South, but this recipe is a play on an everyday Mad Delicious meatball. Tinker with ingredients. Make this recipe yours.

Party-Perfect Meatballs

Party-Perfect Meatballs Recipe

To make ahead, prepare meatballs through Step 2, and freeze in zip-top plastic freezer bags for up to 1 month. To reheat from frozen, pick up with Step 3 and warm the meatballs in the sauce over low heat. For serving, keep them warm in your slow cooker, in a Dutch oven over low heat, or in a fondue pot.

Mini Meatball Minestrone

Mini Meatball Minestrone Recipe

Don't take this soup lightly. Packed with mini meatballs, lettuce, tomatoes and chickpeas this hearty bowl of soup will not dissapoint your taste buds.

Grilled Meatball, Halloumi, and Baby Squash Skewers

Grilled Meatball, Halloumi, and Baby Squash Skewers Recipe

This colorful appetizer would also make a great main dish--just double the recipe so each person gets two skewers. If you have vegetarian diners, you can build some of the skewers without meatballs.

Roasted Vegetable and Mini Meatball Pappardelle

Roasted Vegetable and Mini Meatball Pappardelle Recipe

Although it's pricier than ordinary ground beef, grass-fed (which is what you usually find at farmers' markets) goes a long way when rolled into mini meatballs.

Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs

Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Refrigerated pasta and links of sweet Italian sausage provide a quick start to Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs. This kid-friendly meal is ready in 20 minutes.

Tangy Asian Meatballs

Tangy Asian Meatballs Recipe

With a different and delicious Asian-style glaze, these meatballs are a tangy addition to any potluck meal, indoors or outdoors.

Sesame-Soy Meatballs

Sesame-Soy Meatballs Recipe

Serve these garlicky, spicy meatballs with steamed sugar snap peas and two cups cooked rice tossed with 1 tablespoon chile paste—you'll find it on the ethnic aisle of most supermarkets or at Asian grocers.

Slow-Cooker BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Slow-Cooker BBQ Turkey Meatballs Recipe

These easy slow-cooker turkey meatballs are the perfect choice for busy weeknights. Serve over mashed potatoes with a side of corn.

Greek Pasta with Meatballs

Greek Pasta with Meatballs Recipe

This riff on spaghetti and meatballs uses rice-shaped pasta, ground lamb, and feta cheese for a deliciousGreek-inspired supper that can be on your table in 40 minutes.

Monster Meatball Sandwiches

Monster Meatball Sandwiches Recipe

These 5-ingredient, money-saving mini sandwiches will satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Using premade frozen meatballs keeps preparation swift and simple.

Mexican Meatballs

Mexican Meatballs Recipe

These Mexican ground pork meatballs are an easy and economical way to bring a little Mexican flair to your dinner table.

Bulgur and Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Bulgur and Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Refrigerating the meat mixture makes it easier to handle and helps the meatballs hold their shape. You can use fine or medium bulgur in this recipe. Serve with rice.

Savoy Cabbage Soup with Tiny Meatballs

Savoy Cabbage Soup with Tiny Meatballs Recipe

Bite-size meatballs and tender vegetables make this soup satisfying; the touch of cream and nutmeg stirred in at the end rounds out the flavors. Homemade broth will add depth, but store-bought works fine.

Appetizer Meatballs (Pork Sausage and Ground Beef)

Appetizer Meatballs (Pork Sausage and Ground Beef) Recipe

Blend a can of crushed pineapple into these meatballs to create a taste-tempting treat. Best of all, the sweet and tangy glaze that coats this big batch of bite-size snacks is a snap to prepare. From Karen Mellinger Baker: Dover, Ohio. Recipe published in Quick Cooking September/October 1998.

Grandma Salazar's Albóndigas Soup

Grandma Salazar's Albóndigas Soup Recipe

Albóndigas soup is a traditional Mexican soup featuring spicy meatballs offset by the fresh flavors of vegetables and herbs.

Italian Burgers

Italian Burgers Recipe

These messy, robust burgers are just as delicious and satisfying as a meatball sub. To remove sausage from its casing, cut the casing lengthwise with kitchen scissors.

Polpette and Orzo in Broth

Polpette and Orzo in Broth Recipe

Spaghetti and meatballs (polpette) were a midcentury hit, but these lighter, truly Italian staples are lovely en brodo, or in broth. Serve with some crusty bread and a green salad.

Linguine with Ricotta Meatballs

Linguine with Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

Fresh pasta takes only 2 to 3 minutes to cook. Bring your pot of water to a boil early, and drop the pasta in just before the meatballs are finished so that everything is done at the same time. Ricotta cheese makes the meatballs light and tender and not too dense; they're a bit too fragile to toss with the pasta, so they're scooped out of the sauce and then placed on top at the end. If you can't find fresh linguine, use fresh fettuccine.

Lamb Meatballs with Kale, Cumin Yogurt, and Carolina Gold Rice

Lamb Meatballs with Kale, Cumin Yogurt, and Carolina Gold Rice Recipe

Lamb meatballs appear in various forms across the Middle East, but the beauty of our foodways in the Southern U.S. is that we have great lamb from people like Craig Rogers of Border Springs Farm in Virginia, great farms producing amazing local and organic kale, wonderful dairies for yogurt, and a burgeoning staple crop in the return of rice to our agrarian landscape. Handle the meatballs gently, and form them with as little handling as possible. This will keep them tender.

co*cktail Meatballs

co*cktail Meatballs Recipe

co*cktail meatballs hold a special place in the canon of Southern party appetizers. While we love the ones our mamas made with chili sauce and grape jelly, this recipe is the one we still pull out for company.

Grilled Lamb Kufta Kebabs

Grilled Lamb Kufta Kebabs Recipe

Kufta is the Hebrew word for meatball, similar to Lebanese kofta or Greek kefta. Ground sumac has a reddish-purple color and lemony flavor, a great addition to spice rubs and vinaigrettes. If you can't find it, substitute 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind.

Hidden Rainbow Albondigas

Hidden Rainbow Albondigas Recipe

Category Finalist: Family Dinners. "When I met my husband three years ago, he suggested I try cooking albondigas, a traditional Mexican soup with meatballs and vegetables. His mother taught me how to prepare her authentic version. My children wouldn't eat chunks of vegetables, so I needed to re-create the dish. I pureed a package of stir-fry vegetables, fresh carrots, and canned tomatoes with the broth mixture and added yellow squash to the meatballs. Now I take pleasure in knowing that my children are eating a colorful dish of 'hidden' vegetables." —Emily Almaguer, Fort Worth, Texas

Lamb Kebabs

Lamb Kebabs Recipe

Sunset reader Michael Furukawa, of Menlo Park, California, gave us this recipe—he suggests also trying it with ground chicken. His version resulted in long sausage-shaped kebabs, but we opted for meatballs—they're easier to handle and don't take long to cook.

Stuffed Chipotle Meatballs

Stuffed Chipotle Meatballs Recipe

"This recipe was handed down to me by my mother and grandmother," says Laura Granados of these lusciously saucy meatballs, each with a hidden surprise in the center. "It was one of my favorite dishes growing up."

Giant Pork Meatballs with Bitter Greens

Giant Pork Meatballs with Bitter Greens Recipe

The bracing flavor of mustard or dandelion contrasts nicely with the savory meatballs, but you can use any greens you like (tougher greens, like kale, may require longer cooking). Serve with hot polenta on the side.

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce Recipe

This fun dish is two recipes in one: delicious, easy meatballs and a slow-simmered tangy tomato sauce. If you have any extra sauce, toss it with your favorite green vegetable, spoon it over a bowl of creamy grits, or pair it with pork chops or other meats.

Quick Quinoa Meatballs

Quick Quinoa Meatballs Recipe

Editor's note: Since removing added salt from her diet, Jessica must use a creative variety of spices to boost flavor. If your diet allows, seasoning the recipe with 1/2 teaspoon salt adds just 40mg sodium per meatball.

Great-Grandma Turano's Meatballs

Great-Grandma Turano's Meatballs Recipe

We're always looking for a good meatball recipe, so we had to share this one from Jenny Rosenstrach's charming new cookbook, Dinner: A Love Story (out this month). And, of course, we gave it a Southern spin.

Tortilla Meatball Soup

Tortilla Meatball Soup Recipe

If you can't find fresh corn on the cob, substitute 2 cups frozen corn kernels, and broil them with peppers. After making this Tortilla Meatball Soup, you can use a few leftover chipotle chiles to spice up a pot of beans, rice, stews, or canola mayonnaise.

Caramelized Vegetable and Meatball Soup

Caramelized Vegetable and Meatball Soup Recipe

Time: About 1 3/4 hours. This soup is built on root vegetables roasted until sweet, dense, and crisply browned. Roast meatballs at the same time, pour in broth, and you have soup straight from the oven. Warm some bread alongside the soup while you're at it.

Root Vegetable Soup with Meatballs

Root Vegetable Soup with Meatballs Recipe

We love the play between the delicate, slightly sweet purée of turnips and parsnips and the savory cheese- and herb-enhanced meatballs. Serve this soup as the first course for a fall dinner party. Prep and Cook Time: 50 minutes. Notes: Some bread and a simple green salad turn this soup into an elegant meal for 4.