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.

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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.

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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

    How long should you cook meatballs in sauce? ›

    Give each meatball a final roll and add them to the pot. Brown them in batches, for a few minutes on each side. They won't be cooked all the way through. Remove and set aside until the sauce is prepared, then simmer them in the sauce for 45 minutes.

    What's the difference between meatball sauce and Bolognese sauce? ›

    Meatballs are not a sauce, they are balls of meat. A sauce has to be runny, or at least flowing. Done correctly, a bolognese sauce isn't particularly meaty. The meat is meant to be finely ground and incorporated into a standard spaghetti sauce, and the meat so fine it should stick onto the pasta in little specks.

    Why do you simmer meatballs in sauce? ›

    In this article, we'll explore why slow simmering is the key to a rich and delicious meatball and tomato sauce.
    • Flavor Infusion: ...
    • Tenderizing the Meat: ...
    • Concentration of Flavors: ...
    • Marrying of Ingredients: ...
    • Release of Aromatics:
    Sep 14, 2023

    How do you thicken meatball sauce? ›

    *Note: If you want your meatballs to be in a thicker sauce, mix together the cornstarch and water at the last hour of cooking and stir it into the sauce. If you need to do it faster, put the sauce in a saucepan and add the cornstarch slurry. Bring to a boil and turn down to a simmer until thickened slightly.

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

    Letting your meatballs cook on the stove in a simmering sauce is the way to go. You'll end up with the most tender meatballs because as they simmer they soak up so much of that tomato sauce.

    Is it better to bake meatballs or cook them in sauce? ›

    There is no right or wrong way; try them all and see what works best for you. Cooking your meatballs in a sauce is a sure-fire way to keep them moist and succulent – one of the reasons why dishes like Spaghetti and Meatballs is a classic family favourite.

    Does Ragù mean meat sauce? ›

    What is ragù? Ragù is a meat-based sauce, typically served with pasta. Traditionally, pieces of meat (often beef, pork, game, or even horse), are cooked on a low heat in a braising liquid (this is usually tomato or wine-based) over a long period of time.

    What is the name of the Italian meat sauce? ›

    In Italy, the sauce is known as Ragù alla Bolognese (or simply “Ragù”), and is one of the many methods in Italy used to prepare meat sauces. Ragù is a general term in Italian, used to refer to any meat sauce simmered or cooked over low heat for many hours.

    Do Italians put carrots in Bolognese? ›

    Ingredients include a characteristic soffritto of onion, celery, and carrot, different types of minced or finely chopped beef, often alongside small amounts of fatty pork.

    What causes meatballs to fall apart in sauce? ›

    Because meat shrinks when cooked, mince proteins are likely to separate and crumble unless bound together. Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart.

    Can meatballs be overcooked in sauce? ›

    Don't overcook your meatballs! Most recipes instruct us to bake the meatballs until they are completely cooked. Next, we are to let them simmer away in some kind of sauce for hours. It should be no surprise that your meatball is going to be completely overcooked and dry by the time you eat it.

    Should meatballs be fried before putting in sauce? ›

    You can put raw meatballs right into a pot of tomato sauce and let them slowly simmer until they are done. You can also fry them. There's a good argument that frying meatballs is the best way to cook them. Deep frying them creates a nice crust on the outside that is really flavorful and holds in a lot of moisture.

    Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

    Milk: Adds moisture and tenderizes the meat, making our meatballs juicy and tender once cooked.

    Why do my meatballs come out tough? ›

    Don't overmix. When meatballs are tough, it's often because they've been overworked.

    How do you keep meatballs from getting tough? ›

    The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking — usually the cause of tough meatballs — and the milk adds an additional bonus of moisture, which makes for nice, juicy meatballs. The milk also adds a pleasant acidity to meatballs.

    How long to heat meatballs with sauce in the oven? ›

    Reheating Meatballs and Sauce in the Oven with Sauce

    Make sure they are in a single layer. Cover the meatballs in tomato sauce and cover tightly with some heavy-duty aluminum foil. Now you want to put the baking dish in the oven and bake meatballs for about 40 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the oven.

    How do you tell when meatballs are fully cooked? ›

    Either way, you need to cook the meatballs in simmering sauce to finish cooking them. Meatballs, being a ground-meat product, must reach a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for food safety. Use an instant-read thermometer like the Thermapen® or Classic Thermapen to temp the meatballs in the sauce.

    How long to cook raw meat in spaghetti sauce? ›

    Cooking raw meat in the sauce for 4-6 hours creates the yummy tender tiny bites throughout that surprise our palates. Cover while cooking on low heat and stir every hour or so. Take lid off for the last 30 mins to thicken sauce.

    How long to cook meatballs in sauce after browning reddit? ›

    Saute in olive oil on low heat until brown on mostly all sides. Add to sauce to finish cooking. At a minimum, they're in the sauce for 4-6 hours before serving.

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