What to Serve with Meatballs: 19 Best Side Dishes - A Pinch of Adventure (2024)

Whenever I think of meatballs, my mind instantly jumps to the thought of spaghetti!

These two are a match made in heaven and offer a deliciously good combination of flavors that simply melt on the tongue.

If you’d like to prepare a batch but aren’t sure what goes with meatballs aside from good ol’ spaghetti, I have just the list for you!

I’ll explore some other well-loved favorites, as well as some new dishes you may not have tried before.

Excited? Read on, and you’ll never have to wonder about what to eat with meatballs again!

Spaghetti

Bacon and eggs, fish and chips, mac and cheese — there are just so many foods that are destined to be together. And if I’m talking about the classics, there’s no way I can ignore spaghetti and meatballs!

It shouldn’t be surprising to see spaghetti at the top of this list. After all, the combination is a favorite the world over, enjoyed by children and adults alike.

I highly recommend this recipe when you’re cooking up some meatballs. It incorporates tasty veggies such as zucchini, red pepper, and squash into the mix — and with parmesan and basil as prime garnishes on top? Now that’s a meal I can’t say no to!

With carbs, veggies, and meat all tied together by a rich tomato paste, there’s really nothing that can beat this all-time dish.

Cold Pasta Salad

Maybe you’d like to experiment with something other than spaghetti. Whenever I feel that way, I often make myself a bowl of cold pasta salad!

Sure, it’s still pasta – but trust me when I say it offers a lot of contrast from the classic spaghetti and meatballs pairing. This dish is something that’s super easy to make, while also being a low-cost option!

Alongside pasta, bell peppers and broccoli are thrown into the mix for a nutritious, tasty, and refreshing side to your meatballs.

Broccoli can be blanched or served raw, but my personal favorite preparation is popping it into the oven until it’s gorgeously charred!

Not only is this salad a bowl full of colors, but it’s also ready in just half an hour – making it perfect for quick dinners.

Lemon Brown Rice

I get it: spaghetti is delicious. However, it’s also a highly-processed carb! If you want a healthier alternative that still has all the calories you need, this lemon brown rice is the way to go.

This dish is packed with nutritious value and tastefully seasoned with simple herbs and spices such as chili, thyme, and black pepper.

Garlic and lemon really do a lot of heavy lifting in this recipe, which you’ll discover from the very first bite!

Ready in just an hour and 15 minutes (and with only minimal effort involved), this rice paired with meatballs makes for a great mid-week meal.

Mashed Potatoes

You’d dig into beef steak or lamb with mashed potatoes, so why not meatballs? This is one of my favorite starchy sides to serve with meatballs for a delectable dinner, and it helps kids love it too!

This dish only needs five super simple and low-budget ingredients, and it’s ready in just under half an hour. The key to achieving a velvety and rich result is the use of a lot of butter — I’m talking a lot.

It’s also very important to use hot whole milk to get that perfect texture and mouthfeel. Just make sure to prepare a lot, because trust me: this dish will disappear the minute you serve it!

Egg Noodles

If you want pasta but not quite, why not try some egg noodles instead? A slight twist on the classic spaghetti, egg noodles also go surprisingly well with meatballs.

Go beyond store-bought dry pasta and do it yourself with this recipe instead. You’ll not only gain a lot more control over the process, but your dinner guests are sure to appreciate the effort too!

And if you think you don’t have enough time, that couldn’t be any further from the truth. These noodles will only take 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook — all while using simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!

Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)

Here’s another “pasta but not quite” option you should definitely try: zoodles. If you’re on a mission to make your midweek meals healthier, then these zoodles (zucchini noodles) should be high up on your cooking list!

Zucchini noodles are exactly what they sound like: long, thin strips of zucchini that resemble spaghetti. They’re basically raw – heated only briefly in a pan with olive oil and garlic to give them a little warmth and flavor.

Let them soak up this goodness in the pan for a little longer after they’re heated through, but don’t let them cook!

Sprinkle with parmesan and serve with a generous serving of meatballs on the side for the ultimate healthy and tasty experience. Yum!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Now I know that Brussels sprouts get a bad rap, but this recipe does justice to one of my favorite green vegetables.

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this recipe is sure to change a lot of people’s minds!

Oven-roasted with just salt, pepper, and olive oil, these Brussels sprouts pack so much flavor that they’re really hard to beat.

This recipe takes just 40 minutes to prepare, but you can also cook the sprouts in the oven for a little longer to achieve a crispier finish. Served with meatballs and a starchy side, even the kids will be clearing their plates!

Garlic Bread

I never would’ve thought that it takes only 20 minutes to whip up a delicious serving of garlic bread to go along with my meatballs!

These tasty treats are just the perfect starchy side to mop up the meatball sauce, offering plenty of texture with their crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior.

You’ll want to make more of this garlic bread than you think you need, as no one will be able to stop at just one slice. The more, the merrier!

Za'atar Bread

If you’re wondering what to pair with meatballs that would also wow your guests, give za’atar bread a go!

This Middle Eastern flatbread is slathered with olive oil and my favorite seasoning (also the bread’s namesake): za’atar. If you haven’t tried this spice mix yet, you’re missing out on a whole dimension of flavor!

The flatbread recipe itself is pretty simple and can be put together quickly. It’s the seasoning made of sesame seeds, sumac, thyme, and oregano that really sets this bread apart.

Proofing takes around two hours to complete, but cooking time only requires around 10 minutes max. Prep this beforehand and it’ll be right in time for dinner!

Sauteed Green Beans

Meatballs might be the usual partner of spaghetti, but don’t frown on another classic: sauteed green beans!

With only six simple ingredients, you can quickly whip up this light, delicious side of green beans to go with your meatball dish.

These tender treats (with a hint of crispy garlic) are the perfect balance to the rich and meaty flavors of a good meatball!

I suggest serving these alongside mashed potatoes as well as meatballs for a complete meal!

Ratatouille

I know it’s so tricky to make kids eat their veggies, but when I’m serving meatballs with ratatouille? I’ve got them hook, line, and sinker!

Tangy, vegetable-rich ratatouille goes so wonderfully with meatballs that I’m convinced they’re a natural pairing.

And it isn’t called a vegetable medley for nothing; I also like to throw in some sweet potato, zucchini, and eggplant for a nutritiously filling dish that’ll leave everyone satisfied.

This dish is ready in one hour and 15 minutes and is super fun to prepare! Don’t forget your fresh oregano to finish it off.

Boil Corn on the Cob

Tired of the same old dishes, and searching furiously for what to serve with meatballs instead of pasta? If so, then I highly recommend boiling corn on the cob!

Corn…with meatballs? Yes! Though you might think that you can’t put corn and meatballs together, they’re actually a pretty moreish combination.

Fresh corn, butter, and some high-quality salt are all you’ll need to perfect this side. It also happens to be a wonderfully simple meal to prepare on weeknights when you don’t have a whole lot of time.

Fresh, balanced, and tasty — it doesn’t get much better than that!

Fried Potatoes and Onions

These potatoes and onions are quite the naughty treat, and they pair wonderfully with saucy meatballs.

With starchy potatoes hanging around and soaking up all that meatball sauce, you’ll have a delectable treat that’s oh-so irresistible.

Even better, this recipe needs only a few simple ingredients and is ready in just over 30 minutes.

This is hands down one of my favorite sides to match with meatballs, and with a plate of fresh corn on the cob? It’s a wildly satisfying meal I just can’t get enough of!

Traditional Greek Salad

Here’s another great dish for when you find yourself stumped over what goes with meatballs for dinner: traditional Greek salad!

If I had to choose, this one is one of my favorite salads of all – especially with those hefty chunks of feta, chopped tomatoes, cucumber, and whole kalamata olives!

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar create a super simple but highly effective dressing, which I’m sure you’ll want plenty of.

This may not seem like an obvious side to pair with meatballs, but it’s a surprisingly great combination.

Plus, it takes no time at all to prepare, as none of the elements require any cooking. Simple, easy, but just so tasty!

Cheese Balls

These cheese balls are wickedly good; trust me when I say you won’t be able to stop at just one.

Blue cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese all rolled into one ball of goodness? Count me in!

And if that’s not enough, these balls are also coated in chopped pecans – making for a beautiful nutty flavor and interesting texture combination! Crunchy nuts and creamy cheese together in each bite is a treat in its own right.

These piping-hot baddies are ready in only five minutes – perfect for a quick and ever-so-tasty side to your meatballs!

Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is another salad that’ll blow your mind while also being a beautifully simple side to pair with meatballs!

Fresh and crispy, this bowl of healthy goodness makes for a perfect counterbalance to tender, rich, and hearty meatballs.

Only two ingredients are required for the actual salad – it’s the dressing that requires a more extensive list of ingredients. That’s not particularly surprising, since Caesar salad is just packed full of complex flavor.

The croutons, another key component of the salad, require just four simple ingredients to prepare.

When I’m in a pinch, Caesar salad is my ultimate go-to for a refreshing side sincei t can be ready in just 30 minutes!

Glazed Carrots

Meatballs are savory delights that I simply adore, but it’s even better when I make a pan of glazed carrots on the side.

This super quick and easy dish is slightly sweet and full of exciting flavors, but the best part about it is that it’s excellent with meatballs!

Carrots are rich in fiber and potassium, so this dish is a healthy treat that’ll convince even the most picky eater out there to give it a go. As a plus, they’re ready in 25 minutes and only use basic, low-cost ingredients!

Twice-Baked Potatoes

Nobody can deny their love for twice-baked potatoes (or any potato dish, in general). So, if you serve these up at your next dinner, it’s sure to be a popular plate!

Cheese, green onions, and sour cream work together to create a wonderfully flavorful and rich, textured filling for these potatoes. Bacon is another key ingredient that really rounds the flavor out!

Just a bit of warning beforehand: making twice-baked potatoes can be a bit more hands-on. Still, these treats only need an hour and a half total from prepping to serving.

Serve these next to meatballs for a hearty dish that the whole family will enjoy – especially the kids!

Refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Salad

Bring some Lebanese culture to the table with this deliciously refreshing cucumber yogurt salad. This is my absolute favorite salad for a hot day or for when I’m cooking a warm side such as meatballs!

Red onion, dried mint, and a pinch of garlic powder also help to elevate the flavors of this salad.

I enjoy using fresh mint (if it’s available) and some fresh dill to add another level of complexity to the whole dish.

The salad itself is so simple that it takes only five minutes to prepare. That’s also because no cooking is required — you only need to dice the cucumber and red onions!

This one is best served chilled, and you can even store it in the fridge for you to enjoy every now and then!

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