The classic spaghetti and meatball is an Italian-American creation, but meatballs should in no way be pigeonholed. These meatball recipes borrow flavors from a wide range of cuisines, such as Thai, Spanish, Greek, and Swedish, and can be enjoyed as an appetizer for many or an intimate dinner for a family. Finally meatballs sit on the international pedestal, like they deserve.
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RecipeClassic Spaghetti & Meatballs
If you can’t buy the ground meats individually, use 1-1/2 lb. of meatloaf mix, which is often available in supermarkets.
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RecipeLemongrass Chicken Meatballs in Green Curry Broth
Spicy, tangy, and deeply savory, this dish channels my favorite things about Thai food. Using chicken for the meatballs makes them feel light and balanced with the broth.
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RecipeLamb Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce
A warmly spiced spinach-yogurt curry becomes the braising sauce for these gluten-free lamb meatballs (you can substitute beef) to serve over basmati rice or quinoa. -
RecipeMulticooker Italian Meatballs
These tasty meatballs cook in minutes without the mess of frying. Though they don’t brown, pressure-cooking them right in the pot is fast and infuses the meatballs with the flavor of the sauce. Serve them with pasta and the sauce, or in a sub sandwich. -
RecipeSwedish Meatballs with Cranberry Relish
This version of the iconic Swedish dish incorporates milk-soaked bread to make the meatballs super tender. The traditional accompaniment, lingonberry jam, is tough to find in the U.S., so a quick cranberry relish stands in. Serve with buttered potatoes or egg noodles for a main course.
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RecipeAsian-Glazed Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Hoisin-glazed turkey meatballs are spiked with soy sauce, garlic, and Chinese five-spice powder for robust flavor. Served with spiced roasted carrots, lettuce leaves for wrapping, and chopped peanuts and scallions for crunch, this is a hands-on, healthful crowd pleaser. -
RecipeBacony Meatballs
Adding minced bacon to an otherwise classic meatball brings a hint of smokiness while giving the meatballs a rich, luxurious texture. Try them on a roll for an elevated sub sandwich, or serve with your favorite pasta; you’ll have enough sauce for either option. -
RecipeItalian Wedding Soup (Italian Meatball Soup)
Italian wedding soup, or minestra maritata, doesn’t really have much to do with weddings at all. It’s said to get its name from the “marriage” of the ingredients—meat, greens, and noodles or eggs.
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RecipeSweet-and-Sour Meatballs with Pine Nuts and Currants
Inspired by Sicilian food, these meatballs get vibrant flavor from a vinegar-based agrodolce sauce, currants, and pine nuts. Whole-wheat breadcrumbs added at the end lend a nice crunch. Serve them with sautéed spinach for a simple main course.
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RecipeDim Sum Shrimp and Pork Meatballs with Sesame-Ginger Sauce
These meatballs echo the juicy filling in dim sum dumplings. Fattier ground pork will make for more tender meatballs, so ask your butcher to grind it fresh from the shoulder. To make them a meal, serve with stir-fried vegetables and brown rice.
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RecipeSmoky Spanish Albondigas Soup
This is a lighter Spanish version of spaghetti and meatballs. Manchego and smoked paprika add depth of flavor while saffron dresses up the tomatoey broth.
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RecipeLemony Chicken Meatballs with Cumin & Parsley
These slightly spicy meatballs, paired with a tangy olive sauce, are great served on couscous.
