The 30 BEST Meatball Sauce Recipes (2024)

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You can never go wrong with meatballs… Those bite sized little morsels may be the ultimate comfort food. And they’re even better slathered in sauce!

That’s why we’ve compiled this collection of amazing Meatball Sauce Recipes.

You’ll find such a variety of flavors here. Whether you’re looking for tomato based or creamy, buttery or umami, spicy or sweet, it’s all here.

Cook your way through all of these great meatball sauce recipes, you’re sure to find some new family favorites!

The 30 BEST Meatball Sauce Recipes (1)

Meatball Sauce Recipes:

1. Homemade Marinara Sauce for Meatballs

Marinara Sauce has the ultimate ability to make your favorite food heavenly, like meatballs, spaghetti, lasagna, and more. If that is homemade then you can’t beat it with anything else.

This flavorful Homemade Marinara Sauce recipe is such a breeze to make in big batches, and it’s freezer friendly too. This Italian delight is definitely a keeper…

Get the Recipe

2. Sweet and Sour Meatball Sauce

Ok, now this homemade Sweet and Sour Meatball Sauce will surely satisfy your taste buds, and it goes great with meatballs.

This classy sauce is so delicious, it feels like you are relishing it from your favorite Chinese restaurant. A must-try homemade Asian-style meatball sauce.

Get the Recipe

3. Spanish Meatballs

Want to make restaurant-quality meatballs at home? Then, we have found the best Spanish Meatball recipe for you!

These melt-in-your-mouth meatballs are all about the flavors that are just irresistible, and it’s made using simple pantry ingredients.

Get the Recipe

4. Greek Meatball Sauce

Guys, craving some Greek flavors? If so, try this Greek Meatball Sauce recipe, and treat your family and friends to a fantastic meal.

This perfectly spiced and aromatic tomato sauce will take your simple meatballs to next level of deliciousness. This will become one of your top comfort foods.

Get the Recipe

5. Vodka Meatball Sauce

Vodka sauce? Yes, you heard it right, this homemade Vodka Sauce is the most elegant and the best sauce you can make easily at home!

Make gourmet-style dishes using this simple sauce, and create the best weeknight meal for your loved ones. You will totally get amazed by this awesome sauce.

Get the Recipe

6. Swedish Meatball Sauce

Do you like the famous IKEA’s Swedish meatballs? Then simply replicate it in your kitchen with this remarkable Swedish Meatball Sauce recipe.

This rich, buttery savory gravy is the star of this dish, and the juicy meatballs with it are just a perfectly delicious match. So do try this magical dish.

Get the Recipe

7. General Tso Sauce for Meatballs

Have you made General Tso Sauce at home? If not, this impressive recipe will show you exactly how to make it, just like your favorite Chinese restaurant.

You are going to love the sweet, sticky, umami, and spicy flavors that will coat your meatballs deliciously. Super simple, and super flavorful.

Get the Recipe

8. Creamy Parmesan Meatball Sauce

Creamy Parmesan Meatball Sauce will be your new go-to white sauce recipe for sure, as it’s the most flavorful and decadently rich and cheesy sauce.

This hassle-free recipe makes anything just too good. So all cheese lovers, get ready for this blissful sauce. It will be one of your favorite meatball sauce recipes.

Get the Recipe

9. Honey Garlic Sauce for Meatballs

Give your meatballs some extra delicious Asian flavors with this Honey Garlic Sauce recipe!

It’s an easy and quick way to make your busy weekday meal more special. The sweet, sticky, and savory sauce is made simply with honey, garlic, ketchup, and soy sauce. Easy peasy…

Get the Recipe @ dinnerthendessert

10. Grape Jelly Sauce for Meatballs

Surprise everyone at your future get-togethers with this insanely Grape Meatball Sauce.

Made with only 3 flavorful ingredients (grape jelly, bbq sauce, and chili garlic sauce), it makes the ultimate party appetizer. You can easily impress a large crowd with this easy recipe.

Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen

11. Italian Sunday Sauce (Sunday Gravy)

Give this classic Italian Sunday Sauce a sure try and experience true deliciousness.

This slow and low-simmer gravy takes time to make, but it will pay off with outstanding flavors that are just out of this world delicious.

Get the Recipe @ oursaltykitchen

12. Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Jazz up your meatballs with an extraordinarily delicious Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce, and get addicted to this lovely dish!

This recipe is amazingly easy to make with zesty, lemony, herby, and buttery flavors, that will become your new favorite sauce for meatballs. Simply enjoy…

Get the Recipe @ eatwell101

13. Korean BBQ Sauce for Meatballs

Make the quickest and easiest Korean BBQ sauce for Meatballs at home with this remarkable recipe!

The sauce is perfectly balanced with sweet, umami, and savory flavors, and can uplift any meat or vegetable to top-notch. So get ready for this Korean treat.

Get the Recipe @ savorynothings

14. Honey BBQ Meatball Sauce

This Honey BBQ Meatball Sauce made in a crockpot is mind-blowingly delicious.

The easy recipe creates the best party appetizer snacks, that are just loaded with fabulous flavors that are super hard to resist. It’s a great meatball sauce recipe to feed the crowd.

Get the Recipe @ tornadoughalli

15. Cream Meatball Sauce

Here’s another smashing recipe for a creamy meatball sauce for meatballs that will be a super hit with kids and adults alike.

This epic cream sauce is so tasty. You will love this flavorful and easy sauce recipe…

Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen

16. Teriyaki Meatball Sauce

Make your dinner interesting with this fancy Teriyaki Meatball Sauce recipe!

The well-balanced flavors and ingredients make an absolute finger-licking delicious sauce that makes your simple meatballs the winner.

Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings

17. Buffalo Meatball Sauce

Everyone’s favorite Buffalo Sauce is simply divine, and makes meatballs completely irresistibly delicious.

This easy recipe shows how to make it perfectly spicy, zingy, and tasty every time. It’s too yummy…

Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic

18. Cajun Meatball Sauce

Cajun Meatball Sauce will be your most favorite sauce recipe ever!

The roasted tomatoes, smoky flavors, and Cajun seasoning with garlic and other herbs are an amazing combination, which totally compliments meatballs. A must-try meatball sauce recipe…

Get the Recipe @ jocooks

19. Cranberry Meatball Sauce

This holiday season, make this Cranberry Meatball sauce, and serve the most delicious appetizer to your guests.

This mouth-watering sauce is a combination of cranberry sauce, chilli sauce, orange juice, and brown sugar. It’s a perfect holiday recipe for you to try.

Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo

20. Philly Cheese Steak Meatball Sauce

You are definitely going to be a big fan of this Philly Cheese Steak Meatball Sauce, it’s just brimming with incredible cheesy flavors.

This creamy and phenomenal sauce can make simple meatballs super delicious. Just too good!

Get the Recipe @ thefoodcafe

21. Thai Red Curry Meatball Sauce

This Thai Red Curry Meatball Sauce will take you straight to the far east, and is packed with lots of bold flavors and ingredients.

Try this excellent curry sauce for your busy weekday dinner, it just takes 15 minutes to make.

Get the Recipe @ jocooks

22. Moroccan Meatball Sauce

Give your family an exotic treat with this Moroccan Meatball Sauce, and make the most delectable dinner ever.

The recipe is all about a stunning tomato sauce that is well-balanced with spices and superb flavors. Satisfy your taste buds with this restaurant-worthy recipe.

Get the Recipe @ simplywhisked

23. Tomato Parmesan Sauce

This cozy and hearty Tomato Parmesan Sauce recipe couldn’t get any easier, as it’s made in the slow cooker.

Jam-packed with a lots of amazing flavors, it’s one of our favorite meatball sauce recipes..

Get the Recipe @ eatwell101

24. Hawaiian Meatball Sauce

Surprise your guests is a tropical tropical treat with Hawaiian Meatball Sauce. The sweet and tangy-flavored sauce will win everyone’s heart and soul, and it will make your meatballs extremely delicious.

This recipe will show you how to perfect your sauce in a slow cooker, or on the stovetop.

Get the Recipe @ tastesbetterfromscratch

25. Butter Chicken Meatball Sauce

Give your meatballs some traditional Indian flavors with this Butter Chicken Meatball Sauce recipe!

This yummy, rich, and creamy sauce will completely get you hooked. So whenever you crave some Indian flavors, give this easy recipe a certain try.

Get the Recipe @ damndelicious

26. Creamy Paprika Meatball Sauce

Make this Creamy Paprika Meatball Sauce at home, it tastes purely out of this world delicious.

This buttery sour cream sauce will be a sure hit with your family. Try it to believe it…

Get the Recipe @ saltandlavender

27. Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce

Mushroom sauce and meatballs are a match made in heaven combination!

Everyone will love this super comforting meal, and you will surely keep this recipe in your back pocket.

Get the Recipe @ jocooks

28. Harissa Meatball Sauce

Harrisa Meatball Sauce is dedicated to all chili pepper lovers.

The perfectly smoked paprika and harissa make the sauce just amazingly flavorful. You are going to elevate your beloved meatballs to the next level.

Get the Recipe @ skinnytaste

29. Honey Bourbon Meatball Sauce

Folks, are you planning a future get-together at home and want a delicious appetizer for the night? Then slather your meatballs in this Honey Bourbon sauce, and wow everyone!

This recipe is so easy to make, and the bourbon gives it a great twist. It a guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser appetizer.

Get the Recipe @ asouthernsoul

30. Indian Meatball Curry Sauce

Let’s wrap up this spectacular list of meatball sauce recipes with the finest Indian Meatball Curry Sauce recipe.

Bold flavors with superb spices and ingredients will make the best meatball curry ever!

Get the Recipe @ vikalinka

So many great meatball sauce recipes to try, where to start?

Save or pin this collection of great recipes so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

Check out these other recipe collections!
Meatball Recipes
Meatball Appetizers
Pasta Sauce Recipes
Ground Beef Recipes
Ground Pork Recipes
Ground Turkey Recipes
Ground Chicken Recipes
Ground Lamb Recipes

The 30 BEST Meatball Sauce Recipes (2)

30 BEST Meatball Sauce Recipes

This collection of easy and delicious Meatball Sauce Recipes will give you plenty of flavor options when the meatball craving hits. You can't go wrong with this classic marinara:

Ingredients

  • 2 28 oz cans of whole tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 finely chopped onions
  • 4 finely chopped garlic cloves
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • fresh basil
  • fresh oregano
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Salt, to taste
  • Sugar, to taste

Instructions

  1. In large, heavy bottomed pan, add olive oil, onion, garlic and half of the herbs. Slowly bring up heat and cook until softened.
  2. While other ingredients are heating up, pour tomatoes into a large bowl and crush them by hand into large chunks.
  3. Add tomatoes, black pepper and red pepper to pan, simmer for 45 minutes, partially covered.
  4. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust for seasonings.
  5. Serve with your favorite meatballs.

Did you make this recipe?

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The 30 BEST Meatball Sauce Recipes (3)

Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.

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    The 30 BEST Meatball Sauce Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

    As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

    Should you cook meatballs before putting in sauce? ›

    Adding raw meatballs to the sauce and gently simmering till cooked yields ultra-tender results, and infuses the sauce with meaty flavor—a slow cooker gives great results.

    How to make meatballs that don t fall apart in sauce? ›

    Many people swear by putting raw meatballs in the sauce to cook completely that way; if you choose to do that, I recommend shaping them and placing them on a baking sheeting, covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating for at least 30 minutes so they can firm up a bit and not fall apart in the sauce.

    What is the sauce for Swedish meatballs made from? ›

    The sauce for Swedish Meatballs is a creamy gravy that is made with butter, beef broth/stock, thickened with flour and made creamy with cream. But the most important flavour for the a really good creamy gravy is the pan drippings after searing the meatballs.

    Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

    In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, these meatballs should be fully cooked through and evenly browned in about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the meatball should read at least 165 degrees F.

    What not to do when making meatballs? ›

    5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
    1. Not seasoning the meat.
    2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
    3. Over-mixing the meat.
    4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
    5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
    May 1, 2019

    Is it better to cook meatballs in oven or pan? ›

    Baking will result in meatballs with a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior. Baked meatballs take the least amount of effort, as you'll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cook and you can make a larger batch at once.

    Is it better to pan fry or oven bake meatballs? ›

    I find that baking them and then finishing them in the sauce is the best method. Baking them ensures even cooking and browning as well as good flavor development. Throwing them into the sauce for a few minutes before serving flavors the sauce and keeps the meatballs moist and delicious.

    What is the secret of a tender meatball? ›

    Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

    Why do my meatballs taste like meatloaf? ›

    Meatballs and meatloaf share a lot of the same ingredients for their recipes. Each of them uses ground beef, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Even their optional ingredients have crossover with the likes of parsley, garlic, and sometimes parmesan cheese.

    How long do meatballs need to cook in sauce? ›

    How long does it take to cook raw meatballs in sauce? Beef meatballs take a bit longer to become tender, so let them simmer for at least one to one and a half, preferably two hours. Pork meatballs only need about 45 minutes of simmering in the sauce.

    Why do Swedish meatballs taste so good? ›

    The Seasoning

    While both varieties include ingredients such as grated onion and panade (milk-soaked bread) or bread crumbs, plus the usual salt and pepper, Swedish meatballs traditionally use spices like allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and sometimes ground ginger as flavoring.

    What is Ikea meatball sauce made of? ›

    Iconic Swedish cream sauce: Melt 40g of butter in a pan. Whisk in 40g of plain flour and stir for 2 mins. Add 300ml of bouillon (or consommé) and continue to stir. Add 150ml double cream, 2 tsp of soy sauce and 1 tsp of (Dijon) mustard.

    What are Sicilian meatballs made of? ›

    Sicilian meatballs, on the other hand, are typically made from a combination of ground beef and ground pork, along with ingredients like garlic, onion, parsley, breadcrumbs, and sometimes even pine nuts and raisins. They are often served in a tomato sauce or a sweet and sour sauce made from vinegar and sugar.

    How long to let meatballs cook in sauce? ›

    You want the oil to be about half a fingernail deep in the pan. Usually, I'm making meatballs with Sunday sauce. I simmer them in the sauce for 2-3 hours. The longer you simmer them, the softer they will be.

    How long to leave cooked meatballs in sauce? ›

    Add your meatballs to the sauce and bring it to a boil. Turn the stove down to medium-low heat and allow the meatballs to simmer for about 30 minutes or longer. Enjoy!

    How long do meatballs need to simmer in sauce? ›

    Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat back down to a light simmer. Add the meatballs and toss them with the sauce. Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes.

    Does simmering meatballs make them tender? ›

    It's an extra step that adds hands-on cook time, but it pays off in flavor dividends. Simmering meatballs in sauce also helps keeps them tender while they cook, while imbuing the sauce with additional flavor.

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