Easy to make and delicious to eat, meatballs are versatile and vibrant.
Meatballs! This famous dish is often thought of as topping off a steaming pile of spaghetti, but meatballs on their own with a delicious sauce and some salad on the side can make for a wonderful cool-weather meal. In fact, some sources say that, traditionally, Italian meatballs were always a separate main course and not an accompaniment to pasta. It was in the US that spaghetti with meatballs first came to be.
Whether or not meatballs originated in Italy is up for some debate, however. Some say leftover meat was often used in early Persian cooking in the form of meatballs, and this spread throughout the Middle East, perhaps far before coming to Europe.
Wherever they really came from, today, many people partake in meatballs as part of a main course from Italy to Sweden and beyond.
Looking for a delicious meal? Dive in! Here are six of the best meatball recipes for a fantastic fall dinner.
Ginger Chicken Meatballs with Chinese Broccoli
BonAppetit.com has a list of 16 mouthwatering meatball recipes. Scroll down to find this recipe for Asian chicken balls without the batter, and loaded with flavor. Garlic, ginger, scallions and soy sauce round this easy-to-make dish out. It’s a great way to cook with ground chicken. Add some rice on the side and you’re set!
Ricotta and Sage Fried Meatballs
Another eye-catching recipe from BonAppetit, this one calls for ground pork as well as ricotta and Japanese panko crumbs, (among other things). It provides an interesting blend of seasonings for an unusual but pleasing combination.
Related: These 5 Amazing Seasonings Can Replace Salt
Best Ever Baked Meatballs
Are you looking for straight-up, traditional fare? This recipe provides. Made from lean ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, parmesan cheese, ketchup, salt, pepper, and parsley, you can eat these easily on spaghetti, as hors d’oeuvres, or with gravy and mashed potatoes as the main star. Cook the meatballs until they are brown and cooked all the way through.
Persian Meatballs
Very similar to the baked meatballs above, Persian meatballs are made with slightly different spices, and are accompanied by a savoury tomato-based sauce. PersianMama.com suggests eating these with saffron fries, and sumac-coated onions.
Meatballs in Spicy Curry
Yum! Use the type of ground meat you prefer: beef, lamb, pork, chicken, or turkey. Of course, the secret is in the sauce, as with the majority of curry dishes. This one is a tomato-based curry sauce, for a warm, tasty feast.
Super Savory Vegetarian Meatballs
Made from a base of mushrooms, chickpeas, and sun-dried tomatoes, these meatless meatballs are filled with texture and flavor. You’ll need a food processor for best results and a large skillet for your stove-top.
Meatballs can be a delicious part of your fall meals and provide a relatively simple side or main dish for just about any table. Make a few (or piles), and indulge in this savory treat that dates back for centuries, if not longer.
photo credits: nelea33/Shutterstock.com
