The only thing better than having a savory and tasty meatball is having on is a deliciously made meatball sauce.
We’ve grown to love traditional spaghetti and meatballs, but there are so many other meatball sauces to explore. Meatballs are amazing because they’re loved by people of all ages. These meatball sauces allow you to explore some recipes from other countries, too. It’s great to add some versatility to your recipe rotation.
Every meatball sauce recipe on this list gives you a unique flavor that keeps this simple concept tasting fantastic and different.
You’ll even find dipping sauce for meatballs if you’d like a little snack before the big meal.
Meatballs have long been a staple in many cuisines, often served with a variety of sauces to suit diverse palates. As the perfect addition to pasta, rice, or nestled in a hearty sandwich, the combination of meatballs with a delicious sauce is hard to resist. In exploring the endless possibilities of flavors, there is always a meatball-sauce pairing waiting to become a new favorite.
Each sauce, whether it is tomato-based, creamy, or with a hint of spice, can transform an ordinary dish of meatballs into something extraordinary. The rich, tangy, and savory flavors can elevate the taste of meatballs, turning them into a delectable meal appreciated by both adults and children. Moreover, vegetarian and vegan alternatives for meatballs have become increasingly popular, allowing a wider audience to enjoy these dishes.
The meatball sauce ideas below won’t take you much time either so it’s a great way to keep your recipe new and exciting without having to stay in the kitchen all day.
So when you need a good sauce to go with meatballs, make sure to check this list because you’ll never run out of ideas.
Here are all the different sauces for meatballs you can enjoy when your family wants something tasty and you want it to be nice and easy.
Source: closetcooking.com
1. Hawaiian Sauce
When you’re tired of having the same old meatball sauces time and time again, you need to try this Hawaiian sauce.
Pineapple, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and ginger are all you’ll need to make a sauce that will make your mouth water!
You can serve it over rice or even in sandwiches but there’s something extra special about having it with meatballs.
Source: chefdenise.com
2. Marinara Sauce
When you’re wondering what sauce goes with meatballs there’s probably one that stands out.
The marinara sauce is one of the most famous meatball sauces around and it’s one of the main ingredients in tons of Italian foods.
You can use this sauce for practically anything too so you don’t have to limit it to just spaghetti.
You can even make a couple of jars worth and bottle them up in the fridge to bust out when you have a recipe that could use it.
Source: ciaoflorentina.com
3. Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Once you get a taste of this sage brown butter sauce, you won’t stop finding recipes to add it to.
It’s a really versatile sauce that goes over just about anything and brings something special to them all.
Having this one on meatballs will give you a flavor you might not want to live without so go ahead and stick the leftovers in the fridge to use for later.
Source: saucefanatic.com
4. Swedish Meatball Sauce
Even though easy Swedish meatballs have a few ingredients, they don’t take any time to make.
It’s thick and creamy comfort food but has a bit of a tangy bite to it, so you don’t have to worry about it being too bland.
All of these meatball sauce recipes are great with any type of dish so give them all a try and think of your own ways to change up the main idea.
You might be surprised at how many different kinds you can handle before running out of ideas to put this on.
Source: justapinch.com
5. Sour Cream Sauce
This is another sauce that might not look like much on the outside but it’s a hidden gem when it comes to taste.
The lemon and sour cream flavors work wonderfully together and will really make your meatballs taste amazing!
It’s a very simple recipe that only takes a few minutes to put together so you can have this sauce anytime you want.
Source: dinnerthendessert.com
6. Honey Garlic Meatball Sauce
This one is a real treat if you’ve never had the combination of flavors before.
The honey minced garlic sauce mixes sweet and savory flavors with the delicious taste of garlic to give you what might be one of your new favorite meatball sauces.
This also goes great on pork chops or chicken so make sure to keep this recipe nearby when you want it! You can even throw in some red pepper flakes to add some spice.
Then there’s no reason not to enjoy this fantastic sauce whenever possible so coat your meatballs and never look back.
Source: littlespicejar.com
7. Mushroom Gravy
When you want a classic gravy that won’t lead you in the wrong direction, a mushroom gravy is just what you need.
You can eat it over mashed potatoes and other veggies but the creaminess and deep flavor of this gravy are perfect on meatballs!
It’s a whole new way to eat your favorite meal and the unique taste will have you coming back for more.
Source: ohmyfoodrecipes.com
8. Sweet and Sour Meatball Sauce
When Asian food is calling your name you might want to turn to this sweet and sour recipe for a sauce that is going to taste absolutely fantastic.
The sauce itself comes together in under twenty minutes so as long as you have the ingredients on hand you can whip it up quickly and put it on something delicious.
So when you want a meatball sauce that isn’t exactly what you’d expect, give this one a try because it brings out a mix of flavors you’re probably not used to having with meatballs but you won’t be able to get away.
Source: lizahealthytable.com
9. Guajillo Sauce
You’ve probably never heard of guajillo before but it’s a pretty common pepper found in Mexican dishes.
It’s super easy to make this chili sauce by just adding chipotle, guajillo, and Arbol peppers with some other spices.
The flavor is smoky and rich so you can use it on meats like steak, pork chops, chicken, or fish even though having it on some meatballs is extra delicious.
Source: foxvalleyfoodie.com
10. Grape Jelly Sauce
This one might sound a little odd because you’ve probably never used grape jelly on anything more complicated than peanut butter sandwiches.
But that’s where you’re wrong because this sauce can be used with any kind of cooked meatballs and it gives them a nice, subtle sweetness without being overbearing.
The grape jelly gives this one more of a sweet flavor so if you want something tangy or sour, this might not be your go-to choice.
Source: rockrecipes.com
11. Bolognese
Go to any Italian restaurant and you’ll probably find yourself some Bolognese dishes on the menu.
It’s a classic and delicious dish that is honestly not that hard to make at home so you can have 5-star excellence right from your kitchen.
It’s always better when you make it yourself and the long simmer time will give the beef perfect tenderness and let the flavors all soak together.
Do yourself and make a ton of extra sauce so that you can use it for a number of different dishes you have coming up for the week.
Source: savorthebest.com
12. Garlic Butter Sauce
Simple and easy to make, this garlic butter sauce is extremely versatile when it comes to what you can put it on.
It has a rich flavor that you’re going to enjoy each time you have the chance to work it in somewhere so keep this recipe in your back pocket for when you want something really tasty.
This is one of the most popular frozen meatball sauce ideas because it appeals to almost anyone with the flavors that are packed into it.
So don’t be afraid to use this one when you want something different but still crave your meatballs.
Source: endlessappetizers.com
13. Mustard Dill Sauce
If savory satisfies your taste buds then this mustard dill sauce is right up your alley!
Fresh dill and spicy mustard come together to make a sauce that tastes like something you would find at a five-star restaurant.
The nice thing about this one is it has that refined taste but comes together quickly so you can whip it up whenever the craving hits.
It works well with beef or other red meats and can even be a dipping sauce for some amazing finger foods.
Source: atablefullofjoy.com
14. Dipping Sauce
You don’t have to coat the entire meatball to have a great sauce experience. You can just use this sweet and spicy Asian sauce instead.
It gives the meatballs a unique flavor that you’re not used to having with other sauces but it’s delicious nonetheless.
This goes great with all types of meats so don’t be shy about telling people how they can use this dipping sauce because everyone will want to know!
Source: diethood.com
15. Yogurt Sauce
This recipe might not look like anything fancy but the taste more than makes up for it!
It has a fun and unique taste that comes from the addition of the cucumber and dill.
If you’re not used to those flavors, it might be a bit different but trust me when I say this is one delicious sauce.
The yogurt gives it a creamy consistency and smooths out any rough or bitter flavor that might come from the herbs.
So if you’re looking for a fun sauce to add a little extra something, this is it!
Source: italianrecipebook.com
16. Tomato Sauce
There are times when you don’t want any of the fancy stuff and want to stick with the basics.
If you want a tomato sauce that is easy to make but always delicious, this one is what you need.
It takes only ten minutes to whip up so it’s great for when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to stay in the kitchen all night long.
This recipe also gives you some leftovers you can keep in the fridge and add to a delicious fish or chicken dish later in the week.
Source: littlespicejar.com
17. Greek Lemon Sauce
The Greeks knew what they were doing when they created this amazing lemon sauce that is light and refreshing but packed with flavor.
It’s the perfect balance to the savory and dense homemade meatballs you put it on and, if you love lemon, this might be your new favorite sauce!
You can add in any spices you like such as oregano or rosemary but the simplicity of the ingredients is what makes this one taste so good.
Don’t forget to serve over some rice or vegetables because that will give it another dimension and make it a full meal.
Source: rachelraymag.com
18. Vodka Cream Sauce
Very few can deny the delicious flavors of a good vodka sauce and this one doesn’t disappoint.
It’s not too often that you’ll see a meatball sauce with such a flavorful name but it definitely isn’t deceptive in terms of what it tastes like.
The vodka gives the sauce an extra kick that is unlike anything else you’ve had before and it will be an immediate hit at the table the next time you serve it.
It’s another one that goes well on a ton of different protein so you can always make a jar or two and keep it for later.
Source: inspiredtaste.net
19. Tomato Basil Sauce
When you want the authentic Italian flavor, you have to try this simple tomato basil sauce because it’s the perfect combination of all your favorite flavors.
It’s a slightly different flavor from the marinara sauce but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good!
You can add in any other spices or herbs you want to give the sauce a little more depth and put it over pasta, chicken, fish, or beef.
It’s a great way to make a simple dish seem complex and it will be something people request you cook time and time again!
Source: sipandfeast.com
20. Sunday Sauce
When it’s that time of the week, nothing beats a good Sunday sauce that takes the whole day to make.
The secret ingredient is Italian meatballs but if you want even more flavor, try adding in some ground beef as well!
It’s no wonder why this one has dominated so many Italian homes across America because it’s tasty and tasty doesn’t necessarily equate quick.
So when you have the time to spend in the kitchen, this is a great meatball recipe.
Source: cookingforkeeps.com
21. Creamy Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is known for having a thick red sauce and having a bit of a tangy taste but this creamy mixture changes everything.
It’s a more mild flavor with some fun spices to make it one of the most popular baked meatballs sauce recipes out there.
You’ll be able to pick up on those subtle flavors from the cream and Parmesan cheese but it’ll still have that good sauce for meatballs.
So don’t be afraid to pull out this recipe when you want something familiar but equally delicious.

20+ Meatball Sauce Recipes (+Mushroom Gravy)
Ingredients
- 8-10 chopped mushrooms
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 6 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup sliced onion
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- 2 tsp. each: Dijon mustard Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce
Instructions
- Melt the butter.
- Brown the mushrooms in the butter.
- Sauté the onions for 3 minutes
- Add the garlic.
- Add more butter and then add flour.
- Stir until the flour is browned, then add the other ingredients.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
