Delicious Meatball Recipes Perfect for Fall Gatherings

As soon as the autumn chill hits the air and those leaves start changing, don't you just get this hankering for something warm and comforting? For me, that's when I start thinking about meatballs. There's something about fall that brings back all the warm fuzzy memories of family get-togethers, with the scent of a good home-cooked meal filling the house and laughter echoing around the dining table.

Now, I don't know about you, but meatballs are like the life of the party in my kitchen. They're like a culinary chameleon, taking on flavors from around the world - Italian, Asian, good ol' comfort food, you name it.

And let's face it, meatballs are a crowd-pleaser - perfect for those nights when you're feeding the masses but don't want to work up too much of a sweat. You can pop them on pasta, stuff them in subs, or serve them up as bite-sized appetizers with a kick-ass dipping sauce.

As the days start to get shorter and those nights start to draw in, I always find myself reaching for these tried and true recipes, the ones that not only hit the spot but also warm you from the inside out. Whether it's a laid-back family dinner or you're planning a bit of a do, these meaty morsels won't let you down. So, here are five of my top meatball recipes that really bring out the flavor of fall, mixing up those well-loved flavors with a dash of creativity to make your meals even more memorable:

1. Cranberry Orange Glazed Meatballs

   
   

   • Ingredients:

     • 1 lb ground turkey or beef

     • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

     • 1 egg

     • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

     • Salt and pepper to taste

   • Cranberry Orange Glaze:

     • 1 cup cranberry sauce

     • Juice and zest of 1 orange

     • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

   • Instructions:

     1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix meatball ingredients and form into balls.

     2. Bake for 20 minutes.

     3. Combine glaze ingredients in a saucepan and heat until warm. Toss meatballs in the glaze before serving.

2. Italian Herb and Cheese Meatballs

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   • Ingredients:

     • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)

     • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

     • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

     • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

     • 1 egg

     • 2 cloves garlic, minced

     • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

     • 1 teaspoon dried basil

     • Salt and pepper to taste

       
       

   • Instructions:

     1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.

     2. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.

     3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Serve with marinara sauce and spaghetti or on subs.

        
        

        

   3. Sweet and Sour Asian Meatballs

   
   

   • Ingredients:

     • 1 lb ground pork (or beef)

     • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

     • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

     • 1 egg

     • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

     • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced

     • 1 clove garlic, minced

     • Salt and pepper to taste

   • Sweet and Sour Sauce:

     • 1 cup pineapple juice

     • 1/4 cup soy sauce

     • 1/4 cup rice vinegar

     • 1/4 cup brown sugar

     • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

   • Instructions:

     1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix meatball ingredients and form into balls. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

     2. In a saucepan, combine sweet and sour sauce ingredients. Bring to a simmer and stir until thickened. Toss cooked meatballs in the sauce and serve with rice.

        
        

        

        
        

4. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

   
   

   • Ingredients:

     • 1 lb ground chicken

     • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

     • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (plus more for serving)

     • 1 egg

     • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

     • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

     • Salt and pepper to taste

   • Instructions:

     1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.

     2. Form into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.

     3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Toss with additional buffalo sauce before serving with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

        
        

        

        
        

5. Mediterranean Lamb Meatballs

   
   

   • Ingredients:

     • 1 lb ground lamb

     • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

     • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

     • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

     • 1 clove garlic, minced

     • 1 teaspoon cumin

     • 1 teaspoon coriander

     • Salt and pepper to taste

   • Instructions:

     1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.

     2. Form into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.

     3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through. Serve with tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

        
        

        

        
        

6. Spicy Turkey Meatballs with Chipotle Sauce

   
   

   • Ingredients:

     • 1 lb ground turkey

     • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

     • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

     • 1 egg

     • 1 teaspoon cumin

     • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

     • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

     • Salt and pepper to taste

   • Chipotle Sauce:

     • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

     • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced

     • Juice of 1 lime

     • Salt to taste

   • Instructions:

     1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, mix meatball ingredients until combined and form into balls.

     2. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.

     3. For the sauce, mix yogurt, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and salt. Serve meatballs drizzled with the chipotle sauce.

        
        

As the fall season unfolds, these meatball recipes not only embrace the comforting flavors of autumn but also offer a delightful way to bring friends and family together. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply looking for a hearty meal to warm your home, these dishes are sure to please a crowd. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes, and don’t hesitate to make them your own! From traditional to spicy and everything in between, there's a meatball here for everyone to savor this fall season.