Easy. Freezable. Big batch.

The five best meatball variations

September 6, 2026

A white cloth with green leaves folded underneath a black matte plate with a pile of Mediterranean meatballs and a tomato cut in wedges.

Five delicious meatball recipe you will want to try

Few dishes are as comforting and versatile as meatballs. They are delicious, hearty and can be adapted to suit almost any cuisine or occasion. Serve them like a cozy family dinner, tucked inside a sandwich to bring to a picnic or meal-prep a large batch for later. There is a meatball recipe for every occasion. Pair the meatballs with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice or a fresh salad. With or without a dipping sauce. The possibilities are nearly endless.

On a wooden cutting board with a stone wall background a black matte plate with Asian inspired meatballs pilled up to the right and to the left a handfull of pickled Irish cabbage salad.

In this collection, I have rounded up five of my favourite meatball recipes, each offering its own unique flavours and style. From my mum’s traditional Swedish meatballs to a more spicy version to throw into a shakshuka these are my five favourite recipes.

Meatballs are simple to prepare and suitable for cooks of all skills levels. Easy to customise with different herbs, spices, sauces and other add ins they make it really easy to find a version that you like.

Four baked meatballs piled up on a blue plate with a pot of lingonberry jam next to it. — Plated Swedish meatballs

Substitutes

Traditionally I make meatballs using mix of ground beef and ground pork, however you can use pork, turkey, chicken, lamb or even plant based alternatives.

Freezable

Meatballs freeze exceptionally well, making them ideal for meal prep. If you have the space, freeze flat on a baking tray until solid and then add them in to freezer bags.

What makes these recipes even better is that you can either freeze them before cooking or after, giving you options when cooking them.

In an oven dish with a white interior, fifteen barbecue meatballs are cooked. — Cooked barbecue meatballs

Finished Moroccan meatballs plated in a blue bowl on top of couscous and next to sliced red and yellow bell peppers.

Big Batch Cooking Tips

The best way to cook meatballs for a crowd is to bake them in the oven and then fry them off in a pan with butter for that crisp outside.

Other recipes for you to enjoy

Add my Moroccan inspired meatballs into this hearty shakshuka for a full meal.

If you want to make dinner time even easier for yourself, add your meatball batter into a bread pan and make meatloaf instead.

Final thoughts on my meatball collection

Cooking for your family, entertaining friends, or simply looking to try something new? Explore the recipe collection below to find a new favourite or inspiration for your own creation. Try one for your next meal, or make all five and discover a new favourite.

The original

I have always called this recipe my 'almost mum's meatballs'because of course the original cannot be replicated.

Check out this recipe

Barbecue meatballs

I love meatballs and when I can add more flavour to them they are even better. These barbecue meatballs are the perfect combination of juicy meatballs and savoury barbecue sauce.

Check out this recipe

Asian meatballs

The addition of rich spices from South East Asian cooking has turned these meatballs into an irresistible dish. These Asian meatballs are all about balance between savoury, slightly sweet and perfectly spiced. Serve them over rice or noodles, or with a side of pickled white cabbage.

Check out this recipe