30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (2024)

by Erin

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Looking for a tasty meatball sauce? This handy guide covers all of the best sauces for meatballs – creamy sauces, tomato sauces, curry sauces and more!

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (1)

Meatballs are a classic crowd pleaser. Whether you’re looking for the perfect dipping sauce to serve with meatball appetizers or the perfect sauce to top off the perfect meatball sub, there are plenty of sauce recipes available to choose from.

This blog post will help you find new and delicious ideas for sauces to serve up with your meatballs.

From quick and easy recipes to fun and creative ideas, there’s a sauce for meatballs for every palate.

Pick one of your favorite meatball sauces from the list below, add a couplemeatball side dishes, and you’re guaranteed an amazing dinner!

The BEST Sauces for Meatballs

Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs made in under 30-minutes! The meatballs and broccoli bake together on one baking sheet for extra easy cleanup. Tossed with a delicious, thick, sweet sauce and served over rice or noodles.

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Thai Curry Meatballs is a recipe that I make on the regular. I like that the ingredients are easy to find in the local grocery store, and the fact that it’s a nutritious and quick weeknight dinner option that will be on your table in just 30 minutes!

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30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (4)

Easy Ground Turkey Swedish Meatballs are a lightened-up version of traditional Swedish Meatballs. Served in a delicious, creamy sauce. Serve them over mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles.

Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

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This 5-minute Creamy Garlic Sauce is an easy go-to sauce you can serve with pasta, chicken, shrimp, and so much more. The flavors are rich and savory, and will keep you coming back for more!

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30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (7)

Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo: a cozy, easy, fall-winter dinner…instant pot + stove top skillet directions too!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

This mouthwatering Jaeger Sauce is a type of German mushroom gravy. Easy to make in about 20 minutes with everyday ingredients, the finished sauce is so creamy and has incredible layers of umami, herby, and savory flavors. Serve it with schnitzel, steak, veggies, and more!

Jaeger Sauce

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Meatballs in Smoky Tomato Sauce. A super hearty, tasty and easy to make one-pan dish. Meatballs in tomato sauce with black beans.

Get the RECIPE from Serving Dumplings

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These easy chimichurri meatballs make a delicious, quick dinner when paired with a big salad, or serve them as a fun, dippable party appetizer—either way, they’re sure to be a hit!

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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Get all your favorite hot wing flavors in this buffalo chicken meatballs recipe! The sour cream ranch sauce is irresistibly creamy and cooling, and you’ll devour these skillet meatballs.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (12)

These salisbury steak meatballs are much easier to make than tradition salisbury steak! They are cooked in a hearty onion and mushroom gravy.

Get the RECIPE from Little Spice Jar

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (13)

Creamy Coconut Chicken Meatball and Noodle Curry…the perfect weeknight dinner. Made in about 30 mins, hearty, cozy, delicious + healthy too!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

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Chicken shawarma meatballs! Paired with the most amazing creamy dipping sauce!

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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These easy ginger turkey meatballs are loaded w/ garlic + scallion & finished in sticky ginger-soy glaze for the perfect touch of salty-sweet!

Get the RECIPE from Plays well with Butter

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Get all the best chicken parmesan flavors in this mouthwatering chicken parmesan meatballs recipe! It’s a fun way to change it up, and it’s a crowd-pleasing family meal.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

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Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs and Tzatziki: Oven baked meatballs served with thick sweet potatoes fries, lots of Tzaziki, and all the “extras”!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (18)

Smoky, warm, fragrant Middle Eastern spices imbue this simple sheet-pan cabbage-and-meatball dinner with big, bold flavors.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (19)

You will love these paprika chicken meatballs! These tender chicken meatballs covered in a decadent paprika sour cream sauce are the perfect cold weather comfort food.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (20)

Crockpot Coq au Vin Meatballs: for chilly nights when you’re wanting a fancy slow-braised chicken, but need something simple and easy.

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

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Honey-sweetened homemade teriyaki sauce drizzled over tender, garlicky chicken meatballs and broccoli make for a freezer meal that deliciously redefines the whole genre.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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These grape jelly meatballs are a classic for parties! They’re savory and sweet and only have three ingredients, so they couldn’t be easier to make in your Crockpot.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

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French Onion Meatballs, homemade chicken meatballs stuffed with gruyère cheese, baked until melty & finished in caramelized onion sauce.

Get the RECIPE from Plays Well with Butter

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (24)

These pork meatballs are sweet with a teriyaki glaze with a small kick of heat (fully adjustable for even your pickiest eater) served up with roasted broccoli.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce: What’s amazing about this recipe is that even though it’s loaded with flavor and texture, it’s actually very simple and easy to make.

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

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Beef and pork meatballs in marinara sauce on a sub with melted mozzarella cheese for an Italian-American classic hot sandwich.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (27)

Turkey Meatballs in a Creamy Red Curry Sauce.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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Sweet and Spicy Sesame Meatball Bowl with Mango Cucumber Salad: A delicious family dinner that’s easily ready in under an hour!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

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Like a classic meatball sub, broken down and served as a soup complete with mini beef meatballs and garlic croutons in a tomato basil base.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings

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Ground beef is mixed with the same herbs and spices used in the classic North African shakshuka and then simmered in a smoky, tomato-y shakshuka sauce for a one-pan dinner that everyone will love.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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We absolutely love these gochujang chicken meatballs! They’re flavored with spicy gochujang, then brushed with a sweet and spicy glaze.

Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio

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Soup is always pretty simple, but this chicken meatball soup recipe is as easy as easy gets. 5-ingredients, 10 minutes and dinner is served.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these meatball sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Sauce Recipes

  • Sauces for Ravioli
  • Sauces for Tortellini
  • Sauces for Salmon
  • Sauces for Pulled Pork
  • Sauces for Pork Chops
  • Sauces for Beef
  • Sauces for Fish
  • Sauces for Steak
  • Sauces for Sushi
  • Sauces for Tacos

What to Serve with Saucy Meatballs

  • Arugula Salad
  • Kale Caesar Salad
  • Fennel and Chickpea Salad
  • MORE → 25+ amazingsides for meatballs!

Did you Make Any of These Meatball Sauces?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauces for meatballs.Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onPinterest,TikTok,Facebook,YouTubeandTwitter.

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (33)

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs

Looking for a tasty meatball sauce? This handy guide covers all of the best sauces for meatballs – creamy sauces, tomato sauces, and more! Try these Thai Curry Meatballs. It's a nutritious and quick weeknight dinner option that will be on your table in just 30 minutes!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Turkey Meatballs:

Coconut Curry Sauce:

  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 can (14 ounce full-fat coconut milk)
  • 2-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste (depending on how spicy you like it)
  • 2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons ginger paste (or finely minced ginger)
  • Large handful of baby spinach
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and/or basil (roughly chopped)

Spicy Mangos:

  • 1 fresh mango (diced)
  • 1 serrano pepper (seeded and minced)
  • 1 lime (zested and juiced)

For Serving:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450-degrees.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together egg, garlic, ginger and soy sauce. Add ground turkey, breadcrumbs, and green onions. Mix until just combined.

  • Form the meat into tablespoons sized balls (about 15-20 meatballs) and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.

  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook until shallot becomes translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

  • Add coconut milk, curry paste, soy sauce and ginger. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked meatballs and simmer about 5 minutes, until they’re well coated in the sauce.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in spinach, lime juice, cilantro and/or basil. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

  • Combine mango, serrano, lime zest and lime juice in a small bowl.

  • Serve meatballs and curry sauce over bowls of rice topped with spicy mango mixture.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (34)30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (35)

Cookie Scoop

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (38)30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (39)

Large Skillet

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (40)30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (41)

Mixing Bowl

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 527mg | Potassium: 541mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1903IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best jarred sauce for meatball subs? ›

Marinara- Our favorite jarred sauce is hands down Rao's. Nothing compares in my opinion. We usually buy the giant jars from Costco anyway, but of course any marinara you like will work. Provolone cheese- You could use provolone or fresh mozzarella here.

Is it better to cook meatballs before adding to sauce? ›

Adding raw meatballs to the sauce and gently simmering till cooked yields ultra-tender results, and infuses the sauce with meaty flavor—a slow cooker gives great results.

What is the sauce for Swedish meatballs made from? ›

The sauce for Swedish Meatballs is a creamy gravy that is made with butter, beef broth/stock, thickened with flour and made creamy with cream. But the most important flavour for the a really good creamy gravy is the pan drippings after searing the meatballs.

What do Italians serve with meatballs? ›

To complete the meal, meatballs are sometimes served with a greens salad, lightly sautéed vegetables or even French fries, patatine fritte in Italian.

What can I eat with meatballs instead of pasta? ›

Jump to:
  • Spaghetti.
  • Cold Pasta Salad.
  • Lemon Brown Rice.
  • Mashed Potatoes.
  • Egg Noodles.
  • Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
  • Garlic Bread.
Aug 27, 2023

What are the best sauces for different meats? ›

Chicken, turkey, and rabbit match pleasantly with bittersweet sauces, such as pepper sauce, with slightly spicy sauces such as quince sauce, or with lemon sauce, caper sauce, saffron sauce, or with a fresh mint sauce, recommended for lamb or goat.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

How do you make jarred sauce taste better? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
  1. Not seasoning the meat.
  2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
  3. Over-mixing the meat.
  4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
  5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
May 1, 2019

What does Bobby Flay put in his meatballs? ›

Ingredients
  1. Deselect All.
  2. 2 tablespoons, plus 1 cup pure olive oil.
  3. 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped.
  4. 2 large eggs.
  5. 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley.
  6. 1/3 pound ground chuck.
  7. 1/2 pound ground veal.
  8. 1/2 pound ground pork butt.

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, these meatballs should be fully cooked through and evenly browned in about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meatball should read at least 165 degrees F.

Why do Swedish meatballs taste so good? ›

The Seasoning

While both varieties include ingredients such as grated onion and panade (milk-soaked bread) or bread crumbs, plus the usual salt and pepper, Swedish meatballs traditionally use spices like allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and sometimes ground ginger as flavoring.

What do Swedish people eat with meatballs? ›

Swedish meatballs are quite small, at most about an inch in diameter. As mentioned above, They are usually served in a creamy gravy with lingonberry jam or Lingonberry Sauce and Fresh Pickled Cucumbers. Swedish meatballs are usually served on top of mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. Both are delicious!

What is a Greek meatball made of? ›

Keftedes or Keftethes are meatballs from Greece. Depending upon the region and the person making them they can vary in spices, sauces, and the type of meat used to make them. For the most part they are a mixture of ground beef or pork infused with herbs and spices then lightly fried in olive oil.

How many sides does a meatball have? ›

Editor: I think your instincts are right on here — two sides for smaller meatballs and four for larger ones. But my favorite way to brown meatballs is actually in the oven, not on the stove!

What is the best way to eat meatballs? ›

How to Use Homemade Meatballs
  1. Make meabtall subs (hoagie rolls, red sauce, meatballs, mozzarella)
  2. Add the meatballs to a soup (they'd be great in Minestrone)
  3. Use them in place of plain beef in Stroganoff.
  4. Serve on top of mashed potatoes with a brown gravy.
  5. Toss with pesto and serve on veggie noodles.
Jan 10, 2022

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