What To Serve With Meatballs: 14 Savory Side Dishes

There’s nothing like biting into big, juicy homemade meatballs full of rich flavors and spices. However, you may be wondering “What to serve with meatballs?”

Most of us make our meatballs with ground beef, but you can make meatballs with any type of ground meat. For example, if you’re watching fat and calories, you can make meatballs with ground turkey. Also, meatballs made with pork sausage or Italian sausage add tons of flavor to a main dish.

Stack,Of,Baked,Meatballs,On,A,Chopping,Board,With,Parsley

Meatballs are a versatile and delicious main dish that can be the star of any meal. Whether you prefer classic Italian-style meatballs with marinara sauce, Swedish meatballs with creamy gravy, or a unique spin on this popular meal, the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of side dish options that will complement your meatballs and satisfy your taste buds.

From pasta and rice to salads and vegetables, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to pairing your meatballs with the perfect side. The key is to consider the flavors and textures in both your meatballs and your side dishes to create a well-balanced and harmonious meal. It’s also important to keep in mind any dietary restrictions or preferences when choosing the right accompaniments for your meatballs.

The great news is that there are tons of awesome sides for meatballs to choose from.

So stop worrying about what to eat with meatballs, because we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re using beef meatballs, a mix of meats like ground beef and pork, turkey meatballs, chicken meatball, or some other meat, you can find the perfect side dish to enhance your meatball experience.

Below we’ve put together 14 fantastic side dishes for meatballs that you’ll absolutely love!

Source: thespruceeats.com

1. Rice

Rice is a simple side dish that’s perfect with your meatballs. Best of all, you have all kinds of rice to choose from, such as brown, sticky, long grain, short grain, jasmine rice, Basmati rice, and many more.

To top your dish, you can whip together savory sauces such as marinara, garlic herb, soy sauce, or salsa and add some of your favorite veggies.

Or make your dish into an oven-baked casserole using meatballs, rice, and veggies mixed or separated with cheese.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to savory meatball dishes you can make using rice!

Source: thefoodcharlatan.com

2. Red Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes are a fantastic compliment to meatballs, and this recipe for Red Roasted Potatoes practically exalts your meatballs into legendary status!

These potatoes are baby reds that are brown and crispy on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside.

You’ll also enjoy this dish with a few sprinkles of cheddar cheese and sour cream. Yummy!

Source: foodnetwork.com

3. Buttered Egg Noodles

Now, we’ll tell you what goes with meatballs – buttered egg noodles.

Whether you’re making Swedish meatballs or just eating this dish plain, egg noodles make a great co-star for your superstar meatballs.

Or you can add cheese to the dish for a real treat. We’ve found these noodles taste incredible in cheeses like Guoda and Monteray Jack!

Source: cookieandkate.com

4. Roasted Asparagus

When you think of asparagus, you may not immediately associate the veggie with any meat dish other than steak or maybe chicken.

However, we’re here to tell you that meatballs and asparagus are very good friends.

If you’ve never tried them together, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Source: spendwithpennies.com

5. Ratatouille

For a fancy veggie dish with supreme flavors that’s quick and easy to make, you can’t go wrong with a skillet of Ratatouille.

Ratatouille was invented in Nice, France, and is so popular it even has its own Disney movie! How about that?

The main veggies in this recipe are zucchini, Roma tomatoes, and eggplant.

However, you also have shredded carrot (or diced red bell pepper), crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, and other herbs and spices adding flavor.

Source: epicurious.com

6. Corn On The Cob

Corn on the cob is almost like the vegetable cousin of meatballs.

This hot, juicy, buttery veggie literally bursts with flavor with every bite!

Now, you can cook corn on the cob in a variety of ways, but our favorite method is on the grill.

You can also dress your corn up with all kinds of delicious spices and cheeses.

We found that paprika, finely chopped garlic, cilantro, and pepper jack cheese taste made our corn cobs taste incredible!

Either way, you can’t go wrong!

Source: japan.recipetineats.com

7. Udon

Another great noodle that works well with meatballs is Udon noodles.

This recipe shows you how to make these traditional Japanese noodles at home, although you can probably find them pre-cooked or uncooked in man grocery stores or online.

However, we highly suggest trying to make your own. It’s not hard, and it’s actually pretty fun!

You can make all kinds of delicious meals using Udon and meatballs, such as soups and stir-fries.

This noodle is perfect with soy sauce and tzatziki sauce!

Just make sure you’re using lots of boiling water as this helps your noodles move around easier while cooking. The last thing you want is your noodles getting stuck together.

Another essential tip is draining and rinsing your noodles in cold water, as you might already do with your rice.

You do this because the boiling process brings starch to the surface of your noodles, which can make them sticky. This process washes that starch away.

Also, when you quickly cool down your noodles, they tighten up and obtain their traditional chewy texture.

Source: cookingclassy.com

8. Salad

Believe it or not, no law says you have to keep your salad benched in the appetizer category.

Bring your salad into the entree game by adding hot and juicy meatballs.

The meaty deliciousness of your meatballs combined with the savory, seasoned crunchiness of your salad makes for an all-star dinner.

And this salad recipe adds crispy bacon to the mix, which really goes well with meatballs. Drop one or two in your salad and find out what all the fuss is about.

Source: houseofnasheats.com

9. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a natural side dish for meatballs.

After all, meatballs are a version of meatloaf, right?

Plus, it’s just too easy to fix up mash potatoes from scratch and cook a few meatballs. You can have a delicious dinner complete with your favorite veggie or veggies in under 30 minutes tops!

The creamy, buttery, flavorful mashed potatoes in this recipe are something you’ll have to taste to believe.

Paired with your juicy meatballs, you could throw on some marinara sauce or gravy. Or, you could eat this dish plain.

For turkey meatballs, cranberry sauce with this combo is outstanding!

And corn on the cob is one of the best veggies with this meal.

Source: thespruceeats.com

10. Sautéed Broccoli

Another fantastic veggie that’s delicious with meatballs is broccoli.

And this recipe for sautéed broccoli takes this humble veggie and gives a little light seasoning without taking away from its natural flavor.

The kosher salt, garlic, black pepper, and lemon juice really add a new dimension to this dish.

You can pair your broccoli with mashed potatoes or roasted red potatoes and meatballs for a very healthy and complete meal.

But, this veggie also works well with rice and many different types of noodles, like Udon and egg noodles.

Source: recipetineats.com

11. Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic

This mouth-watering recipe for Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic is sure to delight your senses when you pair them with juicy, savory meatballs.

There’s nothing too fancy about this recipe, just green beans, olive oil, and minced garlic, but the simple ingredients belie the incredible flavor this dish brings to your table.

This is also another dish that works well with mashed potatoes as well.

Other great side dish pairings include red roasted potatoes, butter noodles, and rice.

However, we suggest trying these on their own with your meatballs at first to really appreciate the impact these seasoned veggies have on your meatballs.

Source: modernhoney.com

12. Meatball Sub

Now, when it comes to side dishes that “fit like a glove” for meatballs, bread definitely qualifies.

And in this recipe for Italian Meatball subs, you’ll taste hot toasty, crunchy, chewy french bread, holding your hot and juicy meatballs that are covered in fresh, melty mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.

Folks, this recipe will make you forget subways are anything but uncomfortably crowded mass transit systems.

No fast-food sandwich shop can touch this recipe with a 20-foot pole – which may, by the way, come in handy if only to hold hungry-eyed people at bay while you enjoy this delicious sandwich.

Source: rasamalaysia.com

13. Spaghetti

Okay, so the most obvious answer to “What goes good with meatballs?” is spaghetti.

Surprise, surprise, right?

However, your spaghetti doesn’t have to be a passive Uber ride for your meatballs and spaghetti sauce.

Nothing is saying your spaghetti can’t have its own personality to add to the flavor of this classic dish.

And this Spaghetti recipe does just that by adding minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes that will make your plain Spaghetti stand up and be noticed!

Add your homemade spaghetti or Alfredo sauce, perhaps a few mushrooms, and some fresh, shredded parmesan or parmesan breadcrumbs, and now you’re showing off!

Source: loveandlemons.com

14. Cauliflower Rice

One healthy craze that’s swept the globe over the years is the reemergence of cauliflower rice.

For folks looking to eat fewer carbs and more veggies, cauliflower rice is one of the best ways to accomplish both goals while enjoying delicious comfort foods like meatballs.

Just like rice, you can add any sauce you want to your cauliflower rice and meatballs dishes, such as garlic herb butter or pasta sauce.

However, you won’t have to worry about any distracting vegetable taste. And as far as texture goes, you would have to be a pretty well-trained foodie to tell the difference.

Honestly, many folks swap out their traditional white rice for cauliflower rice, and no one at the table notices a difference (that is, until you tell them about it, the switch later).

Also, cauliflower rice works well in casseroles and even stir-fry dishes. It pairs up very well with other veggies like broccoli and green beans to give you double the vegetable bang for your nutritional buck!

Yes, we reached pretty far on that last one.

And please be sure to check out the video below for more fantastic side dishes for meatballs.

What To Serve With Meatballs: (+Roasted Asparagus)

These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
5 from 6 votes
Total Time 34 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 255 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch asparagus
  • 1-3 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • Lemon zest
  • Lemon wedges
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh mint
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Snap tough ends off the asparagus.
  • Put on a baking pan and drizzle with oil.
  • Add salt, pepper, and other desired ingredients, tossing to coat.

Notes

Select your favorite recipe.
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal
Keyword awesome roasted asparagus, what to serve with meatballs
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
Cassie Marshall
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