30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (2024)

by Erin

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Looking for a tasty meatball sauce? This handy guide covers all of the best sauces for meatballs – creamy sauces, tomato sauces, curry sauces and more!

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (1)

Meatballs are a classic crowd pleaser. Whether you’re looking for the perfect dipping sauce to serve with meatball appetizers or the perfect sauce to top off the perfect meatball sub, there are plenty of sauce recipes available to choose from.

This blog post will help you find new and delicious ideas for sauces to serve up with your meatballs.

From quick and easy recipes to fun and creative ideas, there’s a sauce for meatballs for every palate.

Pick one of your favorite meatball sauces from the list below, add a couplemeatball side dishes, and you’re guaranteed an amazing dinner!

The BEST Sauces for Meatballs

Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs made in under 30-minutes! The meatballs and broccoli bake together on one baking sheet for extra easy cleanup. Tossed with a delicious, thick, sweet sauce and served over rice or noodles.

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Thai Curry Meatballs is a recipe that I make on the regular. I like that the ingredients are easy to find in the local grocery store, and the fact that it’s a nutritious and quick weeknight dinner option that will be on your table in just 30 minutes!

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30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (4)

Easy Ground Turkey Swedish Meatballs are a lightened-up version of traditional Swedish Meatballs. Served in a delicious, creamy sauce. Serve them over mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles.

Spanish Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

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This 5-minute Creamy Garlic Sauce is an easy go-to sauce you can serve with pasta, chicken, shrimp, and so much more. The flavors are rich and savory, and will keep you coming back for more!

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30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (7)

Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo: a cozy, easy, fall-winter dinner…instant pot + stove top skillet directions too!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

This mouthwatering Jaeger Sauce is a type of German mushroom gravy. Easy to make in about 20 minutes with everyday ingredients, the finished sauce is so creamy and has incredible layers of umami, herby, and savory flavors. Serve it with schnitzel, steak, veggies, and more!

Jaeger Sauce

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Meatballs in Smoky Tomato Sauce. A super hearty, tasty and easy to make one-pan dish. Meatballs in tomato sauce with black beans.

Get the RECIPE from Serving Dumplings

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (10)

These easy chimichurri meatballs make a delicious, quick dinner when paired with a big salad, or serve them as a fun, dippable party appetizer—either way, they’re sure to be a hit!

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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Get all your favorite hot wing flavors in this buffalo chicken meatballs recipe! The sour cream ranch sauce is irresistibly creamy and cooling, and you’ll devour these skillet meatballs.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (12)

These salisbury steak meatballs are much easier to make than tradition salisbury steak! They are cooked in a hearty onion and mushroom gravy.

Get the RECIPE from Little Spice Jar

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (13)

Creamy Coconut Chicken Meatball and Noodle Curry…the perfect weeknight dinner. Made in about 30 mins, hearty, cozy, delicious + healthy too!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

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Chicken shawarma meatballs! Paired with the most amazing creamy dipping sauce!

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (15)

These easy ginger turkey meatballs are loaded w/ garlic + scallion & finished in sticky ginger-soy glaze for the perfect touch of salty-sweet!

Get the RECIPE from Plays well with Butter

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Get all the best chicken parmesan flavors in this mouthwatering chicken parmesan meatballs recipe! It’s a fun way to change it up, and it’s a crowd-pleasing family meal.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (17)

Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs and Tzatziki: Oven baked meatballs served with thick sweet potatoes fries, lots of Tzaziki, and all the “extras”!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (18)

Smoky, warm, fragrant Middle Eastern spices imbue this simple sheet-pan cabbage-and-meatball dinner with big, bold flavors.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (19)

You will love these paprika chicken meatballs! These tender chicken meatballs covered in a decadent paprika sour cream sauce are the perfect cold weather comfort food.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (20)

Crockpot Coq au Vin Meatballs: for chilly nights when you’re wanting a fancy slow-braised chicken, but need something simple and easy.

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (21)

Honey-sweetened homemade teriyaki sauce drizzled over tender, garlicky chicken meatballs and broccoli make for a freezer meal that deliciously redefines the whole genre.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (22)

These grape jelly meatballs are a classic for parties! They’re savory and sweet and only have three ingredients, so they couldn’t be easier to make in your Crockpot.

Get the RECIPE from Salt & Lavender

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French Onion Meatballs, homemade chicken meatballs stuffed with gruyère cheese, baked until melty & finished in caramelized onion sauce.

Get the RECIPE from Plays Well with Butter

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (24)

These pork meatballs are sweet with a teriyaki glaze with a small kick of heat (fully adjustable for even your pickiest eater) served up with roasted broccoli.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce: What’s amazing about this recipe is that even though it’s loaded with flavor and texture, it’s actually very simple and easy to make.

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (26)

Beef and pork meatballs in marinara sauce on a sub with melted mozzarella cheese for an Italian-American classic hot sandwich.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking with co*cktail Rings

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Turkey Meatballs in a Creamy Red Curry Sauce.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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Sweet and Spicy Sesame Meatball Bowl with Mango Cucumber Salad: A delicious family dinner that’s easily ready in under an hour!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest

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Like a classic meatball sub, broken down and served as a soup complete with mini beef meatballs and garlic croutons in a tomato basil base.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking with co*cktail Rings

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Ground beef is mixed with the same herbs and spices used in the classic North African shakshuka and then simmered in a smoky, tomato-y shakshuka sauce for a one-pan dinner that everyone will love.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

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We absolutely love these gochujang chicken meatballs! They’re flavored with spicy gochujang, then brushed with a sweet and spicy glaze.

Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio

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Soup is always pretty simple, but this chicken meatball soup recipe is as easy as easy gets. 5-ingredients, 10 minutes and dinner is served.

Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these meatball sauces can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More Sauce Recipes

  • Sauces for Ravioli
  • Sauces for Tortellini
  • Sauces for Salmon
  • Sauces for Pulled Pork
  • Sauces for Pork Chops
  • Sauces for Beef
  • Sauces for Fish
  • Sauces for Steak
  • Sauces for Sushi
  • Sauces for Tacos

What to Serve with Saucy Meatballs

  • Arugula Salad
  • Kale Caesar Salad
  • Fennel and Chickpea Salad
  • MORE → 25+ amazingsides for meatballs!

Did you Make Any of These Meatball Sauces?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of sauces for meatballs.Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onPinterest,TikTok,Facebook,YouTubeandTwitter.

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (33)

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs

Looking for a tasty meatball sauce? This handy guide covers all of the best sauces for meatballs – creamy sauces, tomato sauces, and more! Try these Thai Curry Meatballs. It's a nutritious and quick weeknight dinner option that will be on your table in just 30 minutes!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Turkey Meatballs:

Coconut Curry Sauce:

  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 can (14 ounce full-fat coconut milk)
  • 2-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste (depending on how spicy you like it)
  • 2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons ginger paste (or finely minced ginger)
  • Large handful of baby spinach
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and/or basil (roughly chopped)

Spicy Mangos:

  • 1 fresh mango (diced)
  • 1 serrano pepper (seeded and minced)
  • 1 lime (zested and juiced)

For Serving:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450-degrees.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together egg, garlic, ginger and soy sauce. Add ground turkey, breadcrumbs, and green onions. Mix until just combined.

  • Form the meat into tablespoons sized balls (about 15-20 meatballs) and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.

  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook until shallot becomes translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

  • Add coconut milk, curry paste, soy sauce and ginger. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked meatballs and simmer about 5 minutes, until they’re well coated in the sauce.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in spinach, lime juice, cilantro and/or basil. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

  • Combine mango, serrano, lime zest and lime juice in a small bowl.

  • Serve meatballs and curry sauce over bowls of rice topped with spicy mango mixture.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (34)30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (35)

Cookie Scoop

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (38)30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (39)

Large Skillet

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (40)30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (41)

Mixing Bowl

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 527mg | Potassium: 541mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1903IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg

30+ BEST Sauces for Meatballs (Simple Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

Should meatballs be fully cooked before putting in sauce? ›

You can brown the uncooked meatballs in a sauté pan before adding them to the sauce. You can brown them in the oven. Or you can skip browning altogether and put the raw meatballs straight into the sauce to cook.

How to make meatballs that don t fall apart in sauce? ›

How to make meatballs that won't fall apart
  1. Massage your meat. True story. ...
  2. Add breadcrumbs. Add breadcrumbs to the mixture, but not too many breadcrumbs. ...
  3. Add egg. ...
  4. Don't add much apart from meat. ...
  5. Roll your meatballs in flour. ...
  6. Give your meatballs space. ...
  7. Shake your meatballs. ...
  8. Brown your meatballs first.
Mar 3, 2022

Are meatballs better baked or cooked in sauce? ›

Letting your meatballs cook on the stove in a simmering sauce is the way to go. You'll end up with the most tender meatballs because as they simmer they soak up so much of that tomato sauce.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become. 3. Concentration of Flavors: Simmering at a low temperature for an extended period also encourages the sauce to reduce and thicken.

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

For 1-2 inches of beef, pork, or turkey meatballs without any pre-cooking, use these guidelines for your wall oven:
  • 350°F wall oven:
  • 8–14 minutes for 1-inch meatballs.
  • 14–18 minutes for 2-inch meatballs.
  • 400°F wall oven:
  • 6–10 minutes for 1-inch meatballs.
  • 10–14 minutes for 2-inch meatballs.
  • 425°F wall oven:
Aug 16, 2023

Is it better to pan fry or bake meatballs? ›

Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

Milk Provides More Than Moisture

Not only does added fat provide loads of immeasurable flavor, but meatballs made with a little extra fat are also sure to stay nice and moist throughout the cooking process.

What's the difference between Italian style meatballs and regular meatballs? ›

Italian-style meatballs often include additional ingredients such as milk, olive oil, ground pork, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and sometimes a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork [2].

Can meatballs be overcooked in sauce? ›

Don't overcook your meatballs! Most recipes instruct us to bake the meatballs until they are completely cooked. Next, we are to let them simmer away in some kind of sauce for hours. It should be no surprise that your meatball is going to be completely overcooked and dry by the time you eat it.

Why do my meatballs fall apart in the sauce? ›

Because meat shrinks when cooked, mince proteins are likely to separate and crumble unless bound together. Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart.

Why are my meatballs hard after cooking? ›

When meatballs are tough, it's often because they've been overworked. Start by thoroughly mixing all of the ingredients except for the ground meat. Once you add the meat, you want to work it only just enough so the ingredients are evenly distributed.

How long can you leave meatballs in sauce? ›

Step 5: Transfer the meatballs to the sauce and allow them to simmer for at least 1 hour. I usually allow them to simmer for up to 3 hours to really suck in all the flavor.

Do you cook meat before adding simmer sauce? ›

It is often preferable to cook the meat and vegetables separate from the simmer sauce at high heat first. Then add the sauce, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes and using the time you saved in preparation to make a salad or even catch up on social media.

Do you cook the meat before putting it in spaghetti sauce? ›

Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until meat is browned and crumbly and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease. Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan.

Do you have to brown meat before putting in sauce? ›

"While every step of the process is important, the one that will affect your final flavor the most is how well you brown your meat before placing it in the liquid it's to be cooked in," says Stockton.

Should you cook meatballs first? ›

Do you cook meatballs before putting them in the sauce? You don't have to but I do give them a quick pan fry. It keeps then from falling apart in the sauce. I give them a light flouring and just give them a quick sear in a skillet , only two to three minutes.

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