Meatballs are a classic party food that are easy to make in bulk and pair well with a variety of sides and sauces. When hosting a party, it’s important to consider what to serve alongside meatballs to create a complete and delicious meal. The right meatball side dishes and sauces complement the flavor of the meatballs and provide guests with variety and options. Here are some tips on what to serve with meatballs at your next party.
Bread Options
Bread is a natural pairing for meatballs, as the bread soaks up the meaty juices and sauces. Here are some excellent bread options:
- Dinner rolls – Fluffy, soft dinner rolls are perfect for tearing open and filling with meatballs. Bake up a few dozen rolls for your party.
- Baguette slices – Sliced baguette pieces have a crisp crust and airy interior to soak up sauce.
- Pita or naan – Sturdy flatbreads like pita and naan are great scooping up meatballs.
- Ciabatta or focaccia – The hearty texture of ciabatta or flavor of focaccia complements the meatballs.
- Garlic bread – What’s better than garlic bread for soaking up marinara and juices?
Offer a bread basket with a variety of options like rolls, baguette and focaccia so guests can choose their favorite vehicle for the meatballs.
Pasta and Grain Dishes
In addition to bread, meatballs pair excellently with pastas and grains. The starch soaks up the rich sauce and provides a satisfying base for the meatballs. Consider making one or two of the following dishes:
- Spaghetti or linguine – A classic pasta choice, either spaghetti or linguine noodles with marinara is perfect with meatballs.
- Penne or rigatoni – Short tubular pastas like penne or rigatoni grab the chunky meat sauce.
- Orzo – Small rice-shaped orzo provides an interesting alternative to noodles.
- Polenta – Fried polenta cakes or soft creamy polenta both complement meatballs deliciously.
- Couscous – Fluffy couscous soaks up the sauce nicely.
- Risotto – Creamy, rich risotto is a filling and delicious base for meatballs.
Choose an easy pasta like spaghetti or penne, or mix it up with orzo or polenta. Just be sure to make plenty for a party!
Vegetable Sides
Don’t forget the veggies! Fresh vegetable sides add color and nutrients. Here are some great veggie options:
- Roasted broccoli or cauliflower – Roast florets in the oven until caramelized and tender.
- Green salad – A fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing balances the richness.
- Garlic greens – Saut??ed spinach, kale, chard, etc. with garlic are simple but tasty.
- Green beans – Blanch and shock green beans to keep their vibrant color.
- Roasted squash – Try cubed butternut or acorn squash roasted in the oven.
- Eggplant– Grilled or roasted eggplant slices have a great meaty texture.
Pick a couple vegetable options that look fresh and appetizing. Crisp salads, garlicky greens, and roasted veggies all make great additions to a meatball party spread.
Sauces and Condiments for Meatballs
Don’t forget sauces and condiments! The right sauces can take your meatballs from boring to extraordinary. Consider making a couple of the following:
- Marinara sauce – A classic Italian tomato sauce is the perfect meatball partner.
- Alfredo sauce – For a creamy twist, serve meatballs with rich Alfredo.
- Pesto – Nutty basil pesto makes a great sauce for meatballs.
- Barbecue sauce – For a fun flavor, use sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
- Yogurt dip – Plain yogurt mixed with lemon, garlic, and herbs complements meatballs.
- Chimichurri – A zippy chimichurri sauce adds lots of flavor.
In addition to sauces, offer condiments so guests can customize. Provide bowls of grated parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and grated lemon zest.
What to Drink with Meatballs
Don’t forget the beverages! Meatballs pair well with a number of drink options:
- Red wine – A robust red pairs perfectly with tomato-based meatball dishes.
- Beer – Almost any beer works well – lagers, IPAs, stouts, etc.
- Sangria – Fruit-infused red wine sangria is a fun, fruity option.
- Iced tea – For a non-alcoholic option, brew some refreshing iced tea.
- Lemonade – Tart lemonade cuts through the richness of meatballs.
Consider making a fun sangria or offering a selection of beer and wine so guests have options.
Desserts to Serve After Meatballs
While meatballs can be quite filling, it’s always a good idea to have some sweet treats on hand! Here are some delicious desserts that would complement a meatball dinner:
- Tiramisu – Coffee soaked ladyfingers layered with sweet mascarpone – the perfect Italian dessert!
- Cannoli – Crispy fried pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cream.
- Italian cream cake – Buttery layers with amaretto and ricotta cheese.
- Biscotti – Almond or anise-flavored biscotti cookies are ideal for dunking.
- Spumoni – Colorful Italian ice cream with cherry, pistachio and chocolate flavors.
Set out bite-sized desserts like biscotti or mini cannoli so guests can take one after their meal. A stunning tiramisu or spumoni ice cream cake also makes a great centerpiece.
Tips for Serving Meatballs
Here are some tips to help you seamlessly serve meatballs at your next gathering:
- Keep meatballs warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish.
- Offer a variety of dipping sauces in small bowls for sharing.
- Provide small plates and forks/toothpicks for easy eating.
- Have food set up buffet-style so guests can serve themselves.
- Make some meatballs mild and some spicy to please all preferences.
- Garnish meatballs with chopped parsley or grated parmesan.
- Serve bread in baskets or towels to keep warm and soft.
With multiple enticing sides and sauces, your party spread is sure to be a hit!
Meatball Party Menu
Putting all these elements together, here is a complete suggested party menu with meatballs as the star:
Appetizers:
- Bruschetta
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Antipasto skewers
Main Course:
- Italian meatballs
- Marinara and pesto sauces
- Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Sauteed broccoli rabe
Dessert:
- Assorted mini cannoli and biscotti
- Tiramisu
Drinks:
- Red wine sangria
- Assorted sodas and sparkling water
With flavorful appetizers, hearty mains, sweet desserts, and delicious drinks, this menu covers all the bases for fantastic meatball party!
Conclusion
Serving up the perfect spread of sides and sauces to accompany meatballs makes for a truly memorable party. Bread, pasta, vegetable sides, condiments, drinks, and desserts all play important roles. Offer guests a variety of options and flavors to create an appetizing meatball experience. With the right balance of dishes, your party is sure to be a huge hit!