Experience a world of flavors with these 19 delectable sauces for meatballs, ranging from light and spicy to rich and savory. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend meal, these meatballs are sure to become a family favorite. While traditional tomato or cream sauce options are always a hit, there’s so much more to explore. Savory, sweet, garlicky, and slightly salty – the possibilities are endless!
To ensure your sauces shine alongside juicy meatballs, remember to choose the right meat, add moisture, keep things cold, taste as you go, and handle with care when forming. Baking is always a better option than frying, too, for maximum flavor without excess oil. Now, let’s dive into these incredible sauce options – starting with the classic Honey Garlic Sauce at #17 – sure to leave everyone wanting more!
Moroccan Meatball Sauce
Moroccan cuisine is renowned for its bold flavor profile, which is largely attributed to the liberal use of spices. These earthy, spicy, and sweet undertones are balanced by bright, appetizing flavors that will leave you craving more. The key to unlocking these complex flavors lies in the judicious use of ground spices, which can be quickly infused into a sauce. This approach is exemplified in the Moroccan Meatball Sauce, where the payoff is evident with each delicious bite.
Whether cooked on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, this versatile sauce can be prepared to suit your schedule and tastes.
Hawaiian Sauce
Indulge in the unmistakable flavors of Hawaiian Sauce and elevate your weeknight meals to new heights. This delectable condiment imparts a harmonious blend of spicy, briny, and sweet notes that will leave you craving more. The tangy pineapple provides a zesty kick, perfectly balanced by the richness of brown sugar and the subtle heat of chili sauce.
Simple Tomato Sauce
Elevate your meatballs to new heights by incorporating this timeless Simple Tomato Sauce into your pasta dishes. With just four ingredients and a few minutes of cooking time, you can create a rich and flavorful condiment that never goes out of style. Start by combining extra virgin olive oil, finely chopped onions, ground black pepper, and tomato puree.
Heat the olive oil until it’s warm, then cook the onions until they’re translucent before adding in the tomato puree and bringing the mixture to a boil. Finish off the sauce with a pinch of salt and pepper, and you’ll be ready to serve up a delicious meatball extravaganza!
Swedish Sauce
Indulge in the quintessential Swedish culinary experience by trying the delectable meatballs. To elevate the dish, I suggest cooking succulent meatballs to pair with a rich and creamy sauce. The gravy’s foundation is built upon a flavorful broth, whether beef or chicken, which is then simmered and thickened to perfection through the addition of flour, butter, heavy cream, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, parsley, and a hint of lemon zest.
Sweet & Sour Sauce
When pressed for time yet craving an array of flavors, whip up this Sweet & Sour Sauce that will leave your taste buds tantalized! Not only does it deliver a satisfying experience, but it’s also incredibly easy to prepare. Serve it at your next gathering and watch as the crowd devours it in mere minutes. What’s more, you’ll be pleased to learn that just two ingredients – ketchup and grape jelly – are all you need to create this delightful condiment.
And don’t worry, the grape jelly is masked so skillfully by the other flavors that your guests will never suspect its presence, making it a surefire hit.
Orange Sauce
There’s nothing that screams summertime barbeque with friends and family like the irresistible allure of a perfectly balanced Orange Sauce. This sweet and tangy blend is more than just a match for classic summertime gatherings – it’s also a game-changer when drizzled over chicken or crispy tofu, elevating these dishes to new heights.
To craft this culinary masterpiece, you’ll need the right ingredients: a good orange juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and brown sugar.
Feel free to add some red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat if you’re looking to spice things up.
Brown Butter Sage Sauce
In Italy, the revered Brown Butter Sage Sauce is a staple accompaniment for meatballs, affectionately known as ‘burro bruno e salva.’ Its rich flavors can be effortlessly paired with an array of pasta and vegetables, such as gnocchi, mushroom ravioli, or roasted butternut squash. When served on a platter, this dish exudes sophistication and is sure to impress. To truly appreciate its complexity, consider pairing it with a crisp beer or a glass of wine.
Chimichurri Herb Sauce
Looking for a flavorful twist on traditional sauces? Ditch the red and creamy options and try this vibrant green Chimichurri Sauce instead. Not only is it refreshing, but its slightly spicy kick will keep everyone in your family coming back for more. When paired with perfectly cooked meatballs, this sauce truly shines. The harmonious blend of parsley, cilantro, and a hint of heat from the jalapeno or Fresno chili creates an herbaceous note that’s simply irresistible.
Vodka Cream Sauce
While vodka and meatballs may not be an obvious pairing at first glance, this Vodka Cream Sauce recipe combines the two in a harmonious union that will elevate your pasta dishes to new heights. For those seeking a sauce with depth and complexity, this creamy concoction is sure to hit the spot. By incorporating fresh herbs, rich beef broth, smoky fire-roasted tomatoes, and decadent heavy cream, you’ll be rewarded with a flavor profile that’s both traditional and modern in its appeal.
And let’s not forget the crowning glory – serving it over rigatoni and tender beef meatballs, of course!
Jalapeno Cream Sauce
When considering a keto-friendly dinner option for your family on a Saturday evening, meatballs with Jalapeno Cream Sauce offer an appealing combination. The subtle heat from the jalapenos provides a delightful contrast to the indulgent richness of the heavy cream and cream cheese, making it an excellent choice for a satisfying meal.
Indian Butter Sauce
When planning your next social occasion or a quick weeknight meal, be sure to incorporate this Indian Butter Sauce into your menu. Its rich and vibrant flavors are so captivating that you may find yourself abandoning other sauces for meatballs in favor of this one. The moment the sauce meets the cooked meatballs, the bold and exciting taste experience is set forth, leaving you wanting more.
Tomato Basil Sauce
Hosting a gathering with friends and family is always more enjoyable when you have a flavorful menu to impress your guests. One such option that’s sure to please is pairing these delightful appetizers with a rich and aromatic Tomato Basil Sauce. If you’re craving something else, this easy-to-make sauce is an excellent alternative to traditional tomato-based sauces.
As you serve them up, you’ll feel like a culinary champion, thanks to the bold flavors of pepper, anise, and mint infused from a generous handful of fresh parsley.
Korean Gochujang Drizzle
Take a culinary risk and deviate from traditional Italian marinara sauces or creamy gravies when it comes to meatballs at your next gathering. Consider introducing a Korean twist by drizzling Gochujang sauce, which effortlessly elevates chicken, turkey, and beef meatballs to new heights of flavor. The resulting glaze is incredibly versatile and will have you devouring those savory treats in no time.
With its rich, slightly spicy, and sweet flavor profiles, this Gochujang-based sauce is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Sour Cream Sauce
When it comes to adding a touch of sophistication to your dishes, this rich and creamy sauce is a game-changer. Its versatility knows no bounds – it can elevate the humblest tacos or burritos, as well as add a depth of flavor to meatball plates that will leave everyone wanting more. With its tangy and sour notes, you’ll be surprised by how quickly your guests devour the dishes when you serve them in an intimate setting.
Japanese Ponzu Glaze
Ponzu Glaze is the perfect finishing touch to our meatball sauce lineup, bringing a unique and exciting twist. The harmonious union of tender, flavorful meatballs and tangy Ponzu Glaze creates a delightful contrast, reminiscent of a zesty vinaigrette. With its well-balanced blend of savory and citrusy notes, this glaze strikes the ideal sweet spot, neither overpowering nor underwhelming.
Greek Lemon Sauce
Indulge in the tantalizing taste of a crave-worthy lemon sauce without hesitation. This Greek Lemon Sauce is a game-changer, delivering an addictive medley of zesty flavors that will leave you craving for more all year round. To conjure this culinary masterpiece, simply gather a few essential ingredients – including eggs, lemons, and salt – and get ready to be treated to a silky, tangy, and indulgently rich sauce that will elevate any dish to new heights.
Honey Garlic Sauce
When it comes to traditional dishes or cooking methods like grilling or pan-frying, a classic Honey Garlic Sauce is always a reliable choice. Its harmonious balance of sweet and savory flavors makes it an excellent accompaniment for meatballs or any other cooked meat you can imagine. The sweetness from the honey beautifully counterbalances the pungency of garlic, creating a well-rounded glaze that’s sure to impress even the pickiest eaters.
What’s more, this timeless combination has proven itself to be a crowd-pleaser, as the synergy between honey and garlic is unmatched in elevating the flavor profile of any dish.
Yogurt Sauce
Indulge in the velvety texture of this extraordinary Yogurt Sauce, as it harmoniously complements the succulent flavors of tender meatballs. A symphony of tastes unfolds when you combine the tanginess of fresh lemon juice, the creaminess of Greek yogurt, and the subtle freshness of dill and cucumber.
Guajillo Sauce
When it comes to spicing up social gatherings, this Guajillo Sauce is sure to impress. Its unique flavor profile, featuring smoky, tangy, and fruity notes with subtle hints of tea and berries, makes it an excellent choice for both intimate get-togethers and larger celebrations alike. What’s more, the mild heat level provided by guajillo chilies means that even those who are sensitive to spice can enjoy this delicious sauce without worrying about overwhelming their taste buds.
The bottom line
Hosting a family dinner or get-together? Look no further! These effortless meatball sauces are sure to impress your guests. With only a few ingredients required, you can’t go wrong with these simple yet flavorful options. Whether you’re planning a party or just want to spice up your regular gatherings, these 19 best meatball sauces offer a diverse range of flavors and textures to cater to every taste. From light and spicy to rich and savory, there’s something for everyone in this collection.
