What To Serve With Meatballs (20+ Perfect Side Dishes)

Meatballs are famous for their simplicity and exceptional taste. But you agree that it can be boring to take it alone. Of course, some popular additions are known to go with the meaty deliciousness, but these classics, like spaghetti or white rice and meatballs, could also become boring. Indeed, food is about the taste and the looks, but you have to trust me on this one. If a dish is redundant or repeated, the thrill of the taste of the look will be the one to get it. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can serve with your tasty, juicy meatballs that don’t have to be spaghetti or rice. So, let’s start with the first one:

1. Chicken Alfredo Soup

Who said you can’t have meat soup with meat? Absolutely no one. This creamy deliciousness recipe from Drizzy Me Skinny gives your meatballs the sort of melting, moist feeling you need to take you through a cold morning. Not to mention, both dishes are completely easy to make, so you save yourself time and buy yourself a bowl of creamy tastiness. 

2. Broccoli Salad

Are you in the mood for something with no gluten and more healthy ingredients? Then Drizzle Me Skinny has got you with this veggie salad. So, if you want your average meatballs to go from classic to a full plate of a healthy savor, throw in some chopped red onions, some drips of honey, a nice lemon squeeze, mayonnaise, and, of course, fresh broccoli. 

3. Peperonata

Meatballs were originally from Italian cuisine, so matching this meat-paradise savoriness with another Italian soup is more than just a match. Contentedness Cooking has its recipe for this tasty meal packed with spice, pepper, and spices enough to make your mouth water — literally. So, if you like that sound, it’s your lucky day.

4. Italian Wedding Soup

Did you know that Italian wedding soup cannot be made without meatballs? Meatballs are in the recipe! Provided by Evolving Table, you can also make this soup of flavors in your house with simple ingredients, including baby spinach, egg, and chicken broth.

5. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes have always been a yummy dish. Still, according to The Dinner Bite, adding a few garlic cloves, cream cheese, butter, and black pepper to the mashed potatoes will make it more flavorful to serve with the moist, even yummier meatballs. If you want to leave out the cheese, you can always use sour cream or Greek yogurt—it gives the recipe a unique touch.

6. Fried Cabbage and Egg Noddles

Until now, the options have been about sides. But what about a main dish recipe from Sweet and Savory Meals that you can serve your kids for lunch or at a family dinner? Replicate the classic spaghetti look without actually going for spaghetti by cooking together the delectable egg noodles with slightly crunchy fried cabbage. Healthy and delicious!

7. Oven-roasted Parmesan Corn on the Cob

Is it summer? Then try this tasty recipe from The Kitchn. Also Italian-inspired, this healthy snack by the side makes it easy for you to enjoy the juiciness of your meatballs while soothing your tastebuds with another buttery, cheesy, and garlicky serving. If you’re up for BBQ, don’t hesitate to take out your grill and cook that corn until tender. Remember to grill with the foil wrapped around the cob to keep the grains from burning.

8. ‘Chinese Buffet’ Green Beans

Whether for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner, this All Recipes dish formula is a quick way to create an Asian-inspired meal with your classic meatballs. Simply pull out your stir-fry pan and dedicate a few minutes to the kitchen, and you’ll be rewarded with a lightly crispy, sweet, and savory buffet.

9. Italian Sunday Gravy

Shuffling back to another Italian recipe, The Hungry Blue Bird’s Italian Sunday Gravy is a great meaty sauce for the perfect meatballs. Some people could decide to throw back in the Pasta, but if you really want to taste the difference, fill your gravy with carrots, basil, and onions, and then throw the meatballs right in. You’d be shocked how glorifying the taste will rest against your tastebuds. 

10. Instant Pot Risotto

This rich and creamy bowl of instant deliciousness can also be paired with tasty meatballs as a side dish (or even a main). While there’s already a classic way to prepare this dish, 40 Aprons provided another recipe with a slight touch of white wine. You can add some mushrooms or tomato to change the look for an Italian feel. 

11. Sauteed Spinach

Trying to help your kid eat more veggies? Prepare the sauteed spinach recipe from Inspired Taste and sprinkle it with delicious meatballs. Since spinach is also tasty and nutritious, it makes for a great side. You can spice up the look with some garlic butter or lemon.

12. Sauteed Zucchini & Yellow Squash

Marsha Eileen comes with another sauteed recipe and prepares it with only five ingredients. This easy and delicious recipe is not just a healthy snack for parents and older folks, but it’s also delicious for the kids to join in. Add some melted cheese or the Italian Sunday Gravy from earlier if you want some extra yumminess. 

13. Zucchini Spaghetti

Chef Savvy’s Zucchini spaghetti is a quick and easy way to get the classic spaghetti and meatballs still but with low carbs and a much more summer taste. Mixed with tomato sauce, garlic, and all the delicious condiments, your meatballs will fit right in!

14. French Fries

Amp up your regular meatballs by serving up some fries and ketchup dip to the side. While Just Like Granny has the basic recipe with salt, pepper, vegetable oil, and water, feel free to experiment with other spices and condiments that appeal to you. You could try coating your fries in parsley, basil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, or cayenne. Your pick!

15. Steamed Cauliflower with Herbs.

Cauliflower is not used as much in the kitchen. With its elaborate nutritional value list, you must try these Healthy Seasonal Recipes steamed Cauliflower. The recipe is simple, just as with the French fries. But don’t hesitate to spice things up with other appealing spices. 

16. Italian Tortellini Soup

This high-flavored Italian soup recipe from My Life Cookbook is hearty and easy to prepare. It’s perfect for dinner dates or family gatherings. You only need to dedicate 25 minutes or less, and this soup, filled with frozen mixed veggies, parmesan cheese, and, of course, Italian meatballs, would be ready to serve. You don’t need to serve the meatballs by the side. Drop them, hot, into the soup bowl to let the juice in. 

17. Israeli Couscous with Tomato and Olives

Israeli couscous is already a tasty, flavored dish, perfect as a side for your even more scrumptious meatballs. Then Jessica Gavin’s recipe takes it to another level. An ideal dish for summer and spring, toss the Mediterranean vibe to your dining table with this mouth-watery delicacy.

18. Kale Caesar Salad

If you like lime and light green salad, then you must try this Gimme Some Oven recipe. It’ll be even better if your meatballs are made with green condiments. This delectable pair will bring heavenly comfort to your taste buds. Buy all leafy ingredients freshly, preferably on the day you want to make the dish.

19. Slow Cooker Bolognese Tomato Sauce

Lovers of the sweet, comforting taste of meat and tomato sauce should try this Slow Cooker Club recipe. Given that the sauce is cooked on low heat, this gives it time to soak up all the pancetta, red wine, and herbs that are added to the mix. So, in the end, the sauce would be much more flavored, silky, and sweeter than anything you’ve ever tasted. 

20. Air Fryer Eggplant with Garlic Parmesan Butter

This second recipe, with a cooking method, is provided by Daily Yum, and it is perfect both as a snack and for a quick, healthy brunch. The eggplant is sliced into round pieces and air-fried until tender inside and crusty outside. Then, the garlic parmesan is poured over the dish for a creamy, savory, delectable aftertaste. You can either serve the meatballs by the side of this mouthwatering dish or mash it between two eggplant slices and crush that sweetness into your mouth. Either way, it’s delicious.

21. Garlic Bread

Cheesy, salted, crispy, moist, or herbed, Garlic Bread has always been a fantastic pair with meatballs for the famous SUBs, but you know it’s easy to forget about the bread. Fortunately, the Southern Bites recipe brings home the familiar taste of gooey yet crisp, sweet-sour taste of garlic bread paired with your delicious meatballs. 

If you like these recipes, get out your chef overall and start cooking!