Easy Meatballs Recipes For Dinner, 6 Ideas

When it comes to versatile, crowd-pleasing dishes, meatballs are always a hit.

Whether you’re making them for a hearty spaghetti dinner, a flavorful appetizer, or as the star of a meal, meatballs can be adapted in countless ways. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make at home.

In this article, I’ll guide you through a variety of meatball-making methods, from stovetop to oven, to crockpot and air fryer. So, let’s get started!

How to Make Meatballs Easy

Meatballs don’t have to be complicated. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a delicious batch in no time. Here’s a quick and easy recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of ground beef, pork, or turkey)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup milk (optional, for extra moisture)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Ingredients: Start by placing the ground beef in a large bowl. Add breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Crack the egg into the mixture and pour in a little milk if you want your meatballs extra moist.
2. Mix Together: Using clean hands, gently mix everything until combined. Don’t overmix as it can make the meatballs tough.
3. Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into balls. You can make them as small or as large as you like, but a golf-ball size is a great standard.
4. Cook the Meatballs: Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in the pan and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides and cooked through.

That’s it! Serve these meatballs with your favorite sauce, over pasta, or as part of a sub sandwich. You’ve just mastered a simple and classic recipe.

How to Make Meatballs for Spaghetti

Now that you know how to make basic meatballs, let’s take things up a notch with spaghetti meatballs. For this classic Italian-American dish, the meatballs need to be flavorful and tender, perfect for soaking up marinara sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork (optional for extra flavor)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
• Spaghetti (cooked according to package instructions)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs.
3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides (about 8 minutes total). You don’t need to cook them all the way through at this point.
4. Simmer in Sauce: Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a pot of marinara sauce. Cover and let them simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook fully and soak up the flavors of the sauce.
5. Serve: Toss the meatballs and sauce with cooked spaghetti. Top with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.

These meatballs are perfect for a classic spaghetti dinner that will please the whole family.

How to Make Meatballs with Ground Beef

Ground beef is the most common choice for making meatballs, and it’s an affordable and flavorful option. Here’s a recipe focused on bringing out the best in this basic ingredient.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 ratio for best flavor)
• 1/4 cup grated onion (adds moisture)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until everything is combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
2. Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball.
3. Cook: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.

This ground beef recipe is simple yet full of flavor. Serve these meatballs with a side of mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, and enjoy a comforting, homemade meal.

How to Make Meatballs in the Oven

If you prefer a hands-off approach, baking meatballs in the oven is a fantastic option. Not only is it easier, but it also allows you to cook a large batch at once without having to stand over the stove.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef, pork, and veal)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Olive oil for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley.
3. Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of the meatballs to help them brown nicely.
4. Bake: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Baking meatballs is great for meal prepping or feeding a crowd. You can even freeze the cooked meatballs for a quick meal later.

How to Make Meatballs in a Crockpot

Crockpot meatballs are the ultimate in convenience. They slowly simmer in a sauce, soaking up tons of flavor and becoming incredibly tender. Here’s how to make meatballs in a slow cooker:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 jar marinara sauce (or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Mix Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into meatballs.
2. Brown (Optional): If you want extra flavor, you can brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot. This step is optional, but it does help develop a richer flavor.
3. Slow Cook: Place the meatballs in the crockpot and pour marinara sauce over them. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
4. Serve: Serve these meatballs over pasta, rice, or even as an appetizer with toothpicks.

The slow cooker method is ideal for parties, game days, or busy weeknights when you don’t have time to stand by the stove.

How to Make Meatballs in an Air Fryer

If you’re looking for a quick and healthier way to make meatballs, the air fryer is a fantastic tool. It crisps the outside of the meatballs while keeping the inside tender, and it does it all in just a fraction of the time.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into meatballs.
3. Air Fry: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Lightly spray them with olive oil. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.
4. Serve: Once the meatballs are browned and cooked through, serve them with your favorite sauce or side dish.

The air fryer method is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, and it delivers crispy, delicious meatballs with minimal effort.