25 Best Leftover Meatball Recipes

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Worried you made too many meatballs for pasta night? Good news: there’s no such thing! With these leftover meatball recipes, you’ll find so many delicious ways to put them to good use. From the classic to the unique and everything in between, you’ll find no shortage of inspiration here!

Whether you’re prepping frozen or homemade meatballs, it’s always easier to make a bunch at once. Nobody wants to count out the exact number they need for pasta night! But then, of course, you have to decide what to do with all those extras…

Once you take a peek at this list of leftover meatball recipes, you might be worried that you didn’t make enough! From hearty sandwiches to cozy soups to spaghetti pies and everything in between, this little ingredient is astoundingly versatile. Oh, and did I mention tasty?

If you’ve found yourself wondering what to make with meatballs in the past, this list has all the inspiration you could ever need. There’s a strong chance you’re about to discover a new family favorite!

1. Meatball Sub Casserole

Craving a quick and delicious weeknight dinner? Layers of savory meatballs, creamy mozzarella cheese, and buttery garlic bread come together for a casserole that is the epitome of Italian comfort food!

2. Meatball Bombs

Whether you want a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this party food does not disappoint! The meatballs are stuffed with marinara and cheese, then wrapped in dough and finished off with seasoned garlic butter for an absolutely irresistible bite.

3. Meatball Sub Bubble Bake

Turn a classic meatball sub into a one-pan dish that’s bursting with flavor! The layer of biscuits at the bottom make this dish oh-so-satisfying. Best of all, prep only takes a few minutes, then simply toss it in the oven and get ready to indulge your taste buds.

4. Italian Meatball Soup

This combination of meatballs, vegetables, and pasta simmered together in a rich tomato broth makes dinner a breeze. It’s a bit like the soup form of spaghetti and meatballs, perfect for warming you up on a chilly winter day!

5. Meatball Sliders

Quick, easy, and majorly delicious, Italian meatball sliders are the ideal weeknight dinner. They come together fast, pack a huge punch of flavor, and will be devoured by your whole family in a matter of minutes!

6. Pasta Nests with Chicken Meatballs

Creamy garlic pasta with rich pesto chicken meatballs is both easy enough to make for a cozy weeknight meal and elegant enough to serve for a special occasion. If you enjoy alfredo-style pasta dishes, this is one main course recipe you simply have to try!

7. Meatball Pizza

Need a fun and delicious dinner idea the whole family is sure to enjoy? Turn those leftover meatballs into a tasty pizza everyone will love! With just a few other simple ingredients, like your favorite pizza dough, you can have this meal on the table in a matter of minutes.

8. Thai Meatball and Egg Drop Soup

Thai-spiced meatballs transform traditional egg drop soup from a lighter dish into a satisfying dinner. The combination is a whole new flavor twist on comfort food that you’ll want to make again and again!

9. Meatball Sub Egg Rolls

What could be better than all the classic meatball sub flavors wrapped up in a crispy egg roll? This appetizer meatball recipe is great to serve with marinara pasta sauce for dipping. You’ll be amazed how quickly they disappear!

10. Creamy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

This creamy dish made with hot sauce, butter, and sour cream is tender, juicy, packed with flavor, and ready in 30 minutes! Serve these tasty meatballs in a sandwich, over pasta, or as a scrumptious appetizer.

11. Meatball Bites

What happens when you combine crescent dough, frozen meatballs, marinara, and plenty of cheese? The answer is an appetizer meatball recipe that’s absolutely perfect for parties, game days, snacking, and so much more! Once you try one, you’ll be looking for any excuse to whip up a batch of these bites.

12. Meatball Gyros

Hearty pita bread stuffed with savory Greek style meatballs, tomato cucumber salad, and creamy tzatziki sauce is full of fresh flavor and perfect for lunch or dinner! It’s a great way to enjoy Mediterranean flavors and can be ready in just 30 minutes.

13. Meatball Lettuce Wraps

Meatballs in a sticky sriracha sauce and served over fresh, crunchy lettuce wraps is a delicious way to satisfy your cravings for takeout. Top with carrot matchsticks, diced red pepper, chopped cilantro, and extra sriracha for a burst of color, texture, and flavor you’ll want to make again and again!

14. Mini Meatball Spaghetti Pie

You’re going to love this playful take on everyone’s favorite pasta dish! This recipe is kid-friendly and makes a great appetizer for parties or get-togethers. These little spaghetti and meatball cups are as fun to make as they are to eat!

15. Baked Spaghetti Squash

Even carboholics will devour this lower-carb dish! Spaghetti squash with marinara, meatballs, and a layer of mozzarella cheese come together for a deliciously satisfying dinner that can be ready in just half an hour.

16. Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs

The unique combination of cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and sambal oelek is simply irresistible! Best of all, you only need 6 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time to throw this recipe together. Just combine your ingredients and let the slow cooker take care of the rest!

17. Sweet and Sour Meatballs

For comfort food that comes together fast, this recipe has you covered. Tender meatballs are baked in a sweet and sour sauce featuring pineapple chunks and chopped green bell pepper. The only thing better than eating them is enjoying how amazing they smell as they bake!

18. Meatball Salad

This delicious salad uses chicken meatballs, but you can substitute with pork meatballs or beef meatballs, and a combination of vegetables and amazing, creamy tahini dressing. Perfect for a light, easy meal.

19. French Onion Meatball Sandwiches

What happens when you combine the classic flavors of French onion soup with the comfort of a meatball sub? Caramelized onions simmered in a rich sauce with ground chicken meatballs makes for the perfect cozy cold-weather dinner!

20. Classic Meatball Sub

Sometimes, you just can’t beat a classic. Fresh hoagie bread, flavorful marinara sauce, and gooey, melted mozzarella cheese will turn your leftover meatballs into a hot and delicious sandwich that can be ready in just 20 minutes!

21. Meatball Sub Soup

This soup is everything you love about a meatball sub in the cozy confines of a bowl! Blend together all your favorite flavors, then top with crusty bread and plenty of cheese. Everything comes together in one pot on the stove, then simply stick your bowl under the broiler long enough to get the cheese hot and bubbly!

22. Meatball Lasagna Cups

Who knew you could make lasagna with wonton wrappers, a 12-cup muffin tin, and some leftover meatballs? Topped with spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan, these hearty bites are sure to delight!

23. Spaghetti and Meatball Pie

Need an easy weeknight dinner? This 5-ingredient recipe will become a family favorite after one bite! Serve with a green salad for a complete meal. If you want to elevate your old fashioned spaghetti dinner, just a few simple steps will take it to the next level.

24. Spaghetti and Meatball Panini

This dish is just downright fun. Who can resist smiling when you see a beautiful panini sandwich stuffed with leftover spaghetti and meatballs? It takes all the joy of scooping up your pasta with a side of bread and transforms it into a delicious meal you can eat with your hands!

25. Enchilada Meatball Subs

Not sure whether you’re craving Mexican or Italian? Why not combine two family favorites into one tasty dish? This meal is a fun twist on traditional recipes that turns out super yummy and is perfect for busy weeknights!

📖 Recipe