CookingLight_Hi-Contrast_Reg_WEB CookingLight_Hi-Contrast_Reg_WEB
Our Best Meatball Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Finder
    • In Season
    • Everyday Menus
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking 101
  • Nutrition
    • Nutrition 101
    • Smart Choices
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Diabetic Recipes
  • News
    • Weight Loss
    • Fitness
    • Travel
    • Healthy Habits
    • Beauty
    • Home
    • Healthy Living Videos
  • Good.Food.Fast.
  • Shop
  • CL Diet
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Finder
    • In Season
    • Everyday Menus
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking 101
  • Nutrition
    • Nutrition 101
    • Smart Choices
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Diabetic Recipes
  • News
    • Weight Loss
    • Fitness
    • Travel
    • Healthy Habits
    • Beauty
    • Home
    • Healthy Living Videos
  • Good.Food.Fast.
  • Shop
  • CL Diet
  • Subscription
  • Give a Gift
  • Advertising
  • Magazine Customer Service
CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Our Best Meatball Recipes

Our Best Meatball Recipes

The classic meaty morsel gets a tasty upgrade in these mouth-watering, healthy meatball recipes.

More
August 08, 2013
1 of 31 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Meatball Madness

We love 'em with noodles, we love 'em in soups, we love 'em on skewers, too. We're taking the meatball to more delicious (and lighter!)  places than we ever have before.

Let's start out with a healthier take on a time-honored dish—Spaghetti and Meatballs. 

You can't go wrong with this classic family favorite. We amp up jarred marinara with charred onion, garlic, and plum tomatoes.

View Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Advertisement
2 of 31 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta

This Asian twist on an Italian-style favorite just plain works. The four sauce ingredients create an instant, incredibly balanced barbecue-type lacquer, full of vinegar and chile punch, caramel notes, and umami richness.

View Recipe: Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta
3 of 31 Photo: Greg Dupree

Southwestern-Style Meatballs

These juicy, tender bites can be served in soups, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, or salads. Make them for dinner tonight and freeze the remaining morsels (if there are any left behind) for a quick meal on busy weeknights.

View Recipe: Southwestern-Style Meatballs
Advertisement
4 of 31 Photo: Linda Pugliese

Linguine with Ricotta Meatballs

Fresh pasta takes only two to three 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.

View Recipe: Linguine with Ricotta Meatballs
Advertisement
5 of 31 Photo: Jen Causey

Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce

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.

View Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce
Advertisement
6 of 31 Photo: Stephen Devries

Turkey Meatball Subs

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

View Recipe: Turkey Meatball Subs
Advertisement
7 of 31 Photo: Jason Wallis

Tortilla Soup with Chorizo and Turkey Meatballs

Smoked chorizo gives this tortilla soup a deep, smoky flavor without overpowering. This soup is a perfect go-to for parties or quick get-togethers.

View Recipe: Tortilla Soup with Chorizo and Turkey Meatballs
Advertisement
8 of 31 Photo: Randy Mayor

Quick Quinoa Meatballs

This recipe comes from Jessica Goldman Foung, whose low-sodium diet requires the use of 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.

View Recipe: Quick Quinoa Meatballs
Advertisement
9 of 31 Photo: Justin Walker

Meatballs in Brussels Sprout Cups

Friends will love the ingenuity of these appetizers—little meatballs cradled in Brussels sprout cups—cleverly seasonal.

View Recipe: Meatballs in Brussels Sprout Cups
Advertisement
10 of 31 Photo: Nigel Cox

Italian Meatball Sliders

Melted mozzarella and savory meatballs are nestled within a fluffy water roll. You might just have a new dinnertime favorite.

View Recipe: Italian Meatball Sliders
Advertisement
11 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs

We lightened up a kid-friendly favorite that will still please your pint-sized diners.

View Recipe: Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs
Advertisement
12 of 31 Photo: Jennifer Causey

Swedish Meatballs with Red Currant Pan Sauce

Silky and sweet, the red currant pan sauce would be delicious served over pork chops or grilled poultry. Use leftover jam for anything from spreading over biscuits to creating a flavor base for barbecue sauce.

View Recipe: Swedish Meatballs with Red Currant Pan Sauce
Advertisement
13 of 31 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Turkey Meatball Soup with Greens

In our play on Italian wedding soup, cooked quinoa serves as a nutty, whole-grain binder for the meatballs. We like the tenderness of lacinato kale in this soup, but you easily can substitute other varieties.

View Recipe: Turkey Meatball Soup with Greens
Advertisement
14 of 31 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Meatball Stroganoff

Beefy sirloin draped in wine-spiked, creamy mushroom sauce: the comfort of stroganoff with a meatball twist. Serve sautéed Broccolini, spinach, or Brussels sprouts alongside this hearty entrée.

View Recipe: Meatball Stroganoff
Advertisement
15 of 31 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Meatball Subs

These meaty, saucy, two-napkin sandwiches are destined for heavy dinnertime rotation.

View Recipe: Meatball Subs
Advertisement
16 of 31 Photo: Iain Bagwell

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs)

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.

View Recipe: Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs)
Advertisement
17 of 31 Photo: Brian Woodcock

Barbecue Turkey Meatballs

Serve with simple mashed potatoes on the side to catch the sauce.

View Recipe: Barbecue Turkey Meatballs
Advertisement
18 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce

The recipes calls for the meatballs to be served with pita wedges, but you can serve them over couscous, over pasta, or even by themselves. Let your imagination run wild.

View Recipe: Meatballs with Spiced Tomato Sauce
Advertisement
19 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry and Randy Mayor

Italian Meatball Sliders

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

View Recipe: Italian Meatball Sliders
Advertisement
20 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

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

Inspired by his trip to Israel, renowned chef Hugh Acheson created this Middle Eastern-style recipe using staples from his Southern backyard. Handle the meatballs gently, and form them with as little handling as possible. This will keep them tender.

View Recipe: Lamb Meatballs with Kale, Cumin Yogurt, and Carolina Gold Rice
Advertisement
21 of 31 Photo: José Picayo

Garlicky Meatball Pasta

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

View Recipe: Garlicky Meatball Pasta
Advertisement
22 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Alicante Turkey Meatballs

These plump, moist turkey meatballs, surprisingly delicate in flavor, are guaranteed to banish any memory of dried-out turkey burgers.

View Recipe: Alicante Turkey Meatballs
Advertisement
23 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Tortilla Meatball Soup

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

View Recipe: Tortilla Meatball Soup
Advertisement
24 of 31 Photo: Randy Mayor

Kibbeh Meatballs with Spiced Yogurt Sauce

Impress your party guests with this delectable Middle East-inspired appetizer. You can also try serving it with pita or bulgur.

View Recipe: Kibbeh Meatballs with Spiced Yogurt Sauce
Advertisement
25 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Basil Chicken Meatballs with Ponzu Sauce

These flavorful meatballs make fantastic appetizers, and they also add a great touch to your weeknight pasta.

View Recipe: Basil Chicken Meatballs with Ponzu Sauce
Advertisement
26 of 31 Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Hidden Rainbow Albondigas

Inspired by the traditional Mexican albondigas, a soup with meatballs and vegetables, this dish "hides" the veggies in the meatballs. Picky eaters will be none the wiser.

View Recipe: Hidden Rainbow Albondigas
Advertisement
27 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Turkey Meatball Reuben Subs

In the words of one of our readers, these subs are "ludicrously quick and easy." You'll definitely want to add them to your menu this week.

View Recipe: Turkey Meatball Reuben Subs
Advertisement
28 of 31 Photo: Randy Mayor

Korean Meatballs

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.

View Recipe: Korean Meatballs
Advertisement
29 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Gingery Pork Meatballs with Noodles

Wide rice noodles are available on the ethnic-foods aisle at most major supermarkets and at Asian grocers. If you can't find them, any rice noodle or even spaghetti will work in this dish. You can also use ground sirloin, if you can't find pork.

View Recipe: Gingery Pork Meatballs with Noodles
Advertisement
30 of 31 Photo: Randy Mayor

Greek Pasta with Meatballs

This riff on spaghetti and meatballs uses rice-shaped pasta, ground lamb, and feta cheese.

View Recipe: Greek Pasta with Meatballs
Advertisement
31 of 31 Photo: Johnny Autry

Sesame-Soy Meatballs

Serve these garlicky, spicy meatballs with steamed sugar snap peas and 2 cups of cooked rice tossed with 1 tablespoon chile paste—you'll find it on the ethnic aisle of most supermarkets or at Asian grocers.

View Recipe: Sesame-Soy Meatballs

You May Like

100 Ways to Cook Italian

25 Best Pasta Recipes

102 Super Sandwiches

Read More

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Join our newsletter for free recipes, healthy living inspiration, and special offers.
Sign up

Get a Personalized Meal Plan

As Low as $1.52 a Week
GET STARTED

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Join our newsletter for free recipes, healthy living inspiration, and special offers.
Sign up
CookingLight_Hi-Contrast_Reg_WEB
HOME
  • Slow Cooker Favorites
  • Healthy Snack Ideas
  • Dinner Tonight
  • Cooking Techniques
  • Summer
  • Diet
RECIPES
  • Healthy Chicken Recipes
  • Top Rated Recipes
  • Birthday Cake Recipes
  • Casserole Recipes
  • Baking Recipes
NEWS
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Healthy Habits
  • Beauty
  • Home
SPECIAL
  • ThePrep
  • Weight Loss
  • Meal Planner
  • Videos
  • Delicious Deals
COOKINGLIGHT
  • Site Map
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Give a Gift
  • Customer Service
© 2018 CookingLight.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. CookingLight may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use Privacy Policy (Your California Privacy Rights).Ad Choices | EU Data Subject Requests
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.