What to serve with meatballs: Meatballs are such a great dinner recipe for busy weeknights but finding a side dish that's not spaghetti can be difficult. But in this post, you'll find 20+ easy side dishes that pair perfectly with meatballs!
Meatballs are such a fan-favorite it's a bummer that they're typically looked at as a topping for spaghetti. There are so many different ways to spice up meatballs with sauce, spices, and side dishes. Meatballs can be much more than a topping for spaghetti!
You'll find a list of simple side dish ideas and then a list of 20+ side dish recipes for meatballs! You're guaranteed to find a side dish that sparks your interest in this post, or visit the other "what to serve with" ideas, to help fill your meal planner!
Expert tips
It's better to bake your meatballs because they're easier to prepare and they also contain less fat than fried meatballs. Personally, I love to cook meatballs in the slow cooker for an extremely easy and full-proof recipe!
Yes. Meatballs should be somewhat cooked before coating in your sauce of choice. You can bake them first or brown them before adding sauce.
Meatballs are typically held together by eggs and breadcrumbs. Too many breadcrumbs can can make the meatballs loose and not enough breadcrumbs can make them fall apart too. You have to find the perfect amount.
Items to serve with meatballs
If serving Italian meatballs or bbq meatballs, here are a few things you should have on hand:
- napkins
- forks
- plates
- extra seasoning (Italian seasoning or bbq seasoning)
- extra sauce (marinara sauce or bbq sauce)
- appropriate side dishes (see below)
How do you store homemade meatballs?
You can store meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also choose to store them in the freezer for up to two months. Prepping meatballs in advance is a great way to save time when cooking!
What vegetables go with meats?
There are some classic meat and veggie pairings you won't want to miss out on. Such as beef and roasted cauliflower or broccoli, chicken and roasted tomatoes, or shrimp with roasted bell peppers!
Side dish ideas for meatballs
Having a list of simple side dish ideas in your head will help you decide on a side dish recipe. It's important to keep in mind that you can cook side dishes in bulk and serve them with other meals as well! This is a great tip for busy families!
Here's a list of side dish ideas for meatballs, and then you'll see the list of 20+ recipes that go great with any type of meatball!
- garlic bread
- breadsticks
- Caprese salad
- bruschetta
- macaroni salad
- pasta salad
- mashed potatoes
- potato wedges
- roasted carrots
- roasted broccoli
- ravioli
- chopped salad
- Cesar salad
- pull-apart bread
- cheesy bread
What to serve with meatballs
Side dish recipes for meatballs, no matter if they're covered in marinara, Swedish, bbq sauce, and more!
A side dish and main dish in one, you can serve your meatballs inside of peppers and have a delicious version of stuffed peppers!
Bursting with delicious flavors, this Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad is an ideal side dish to meatballs. The tomatoes are roasted until sweet and tossed with mozzarella and fresh basil.
Al dente orzo pasta, buttery garlic, and sweet peas along with a fresh pop of lemon make magic in this pasta recipe that will please everyone.
Penne Rosa is delicious and super simple Italian Pasta in Tomato Cream Sauce. This comforting pasta dish is filled with colorful veggies, tangy tomato sauce, and a touch of cream.
A Classic Italian Pasta Salad that's gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad you love, with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing!
This Italian salad is a blend of fresh greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, cheese, and croutons, all tossed together in a homemade dressing.
These roasted rainbow carrots and baby potatoes are a delicious side dish that comes together with minimal effort and prep time but results in a big flavor.
One of the best and easiest salads you will ever make- that goes with about every dinner main! Spinach Salad has eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and a healthy homemade salad dressing.
This Broccoli Bacon Salad Recipe makes a tasty side dish. Make this easy keto broccoli salad in 15 minutes.
Air Fryer Pull Apart Bread Rolls. Delicious homemade air fryer bread rolls that are easy to prep and bake perfectly in the air fryer!
Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes are the best side dish idea for any night of the week! The steps are easy to follow and have basic ingredients like butter and sour cream with optional additions like garlic and Parmesan cheese!
This super simple recipe for Air Fryer Garlic Bread makes the perfect buttery garlic bread. Ready in 5-10 minutes!
Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic {BEST way to cook them!}
This is a simple, tasty way to make brussels sprouts that are sprinkled with fresh garlic, salt, and pepper. The brussels sprouts and garlic come out perfectly crispy every time.
Super cheesy baked ravioli made into a casserole dish of cozy comfort food everyone will cheer for. Made in thirty minutes, this is a perfect fast and easy side dish for meatballs.
This delicious cheesy ricotta-filled baked ziti is the perfect cozy family recipe to make again and again.
This gooey cheesy pull-apart bread with biscuit dough is made fast and easy! Packed full of delicious Italian flavors, delicious cheese, and layers of fluffy biscuit dough, this recipe is always a hit!
Healthy carrot rice recipe, a flavorful side dish or light main meal made with only a few ingredients and ready to serve in less than 30 minutes.
An easy and healthy stir fry veggies recipe with corns, pineapple, and steamed veggies coated in a sauce. These colorful stir fry veggies are delicious served either alone or side dish.
Make this easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes recipe and never buy the store-bought packaged scalloped potatoes again.
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