✔ Updated · 35 sides: pasta, potatoes, veg, bread, salads + by sauce
Meatballs go with way more than spaghetti, and the right side depends on the sauce you're using. Here are 35 sides, from creamy mash to crunchy salads, for any meatball night.
The best sides for meatballs are pasta, egg noodles or polenta to catch the sauce; mashed or roasted potatoes; garlic bread or crusty rolls; and a green vegetable or crisp salad to lighten things up. Match the side to the sauce: spaghetti or polenta for marinara, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam for Swedish meatballs, rice for teriyaki and coleslaw for BBQ.
- Marinara meatballs: spaghetti, polenta, garlic bread, Caesar salad
- Swedish meatballs: mashed potatoes, egg noodles, lingonberry jam, cucumber salad
- Asian-style meatballs: jasmine rice, sesame green beans, cucumber salad
- BBQ or party meatballs: mac and cheese, coleslaw, corn on the cob, slider rolls
How to Choose a Side for Meatballs
Start with the sauce. Saucy meatballs need something to soak it all up, like pasta, mash, polenta or bread. Glazed or dry meatballs, such as BBQ or teriyaki, are happier with rice, slaw or crunchy veg.
Then add something green. Meatballs are rich and hearty, so a bright vegetable or a tangy salad keeps the plate from feeling heavy. One starch plus one vegetable is my go-to formula.
Pasta and Noodles
1. Spaghetti
The classic. Toss cooked spaghetti with a ladle of sauce so every strand is coated, then pile the meatballs on top.
2. Buttered Egg Noodles
Wide egg noodles tossed in butter, parsley and black pepper. The perfect match for Swedish or creamy meatballs.
3. Parmesan Orzo
Orzo cooked like risotto with stock, butter and Parmesan. Creamy, quick and great for little ones.
4. Penne or Rigatoni
Tube pasta catches chunky sauce inside every piece. Bake it with mozzarella for an easy meatball pasta bake.
5. Zucchini Noodles
Spiralized zucchini sautéed for 2 to 3 minutes with garlic. A light, low-carb swap for spaghetti.
6. Spaghetti Squash
Roasted squash scraped into golden strands. Mild and slightly sweet, it loves a garlicky tomato sauce.
Get the recipe →Potatoes, Rice and Grains
7. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy, buttery mash is a must with Swedish meatballs or meatballs in gravy. Make a well for the sauce.
Get the recipe →
8. Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Stir a spoonful of prepared horseradish into your mash for a gentle kick that cuts through rich beef meatballs.
9. Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Halved baby potatoes roasted at 450°F for 25 to 30 minutes with olive oil, garlic and rosemary.
10. Creamy Polenta
Soft polenta stirred with butter and Parmesan is like a cozy bed for meatballs in marinara. Total comfort food.
11. Seared Polenta Slices
Slice ready-made polenta, pan-fry until golden and crisp on both sides, then spoon meatballs and sauce over.
12. Garlic Butter Rice
Long-grain or jasmine rice finished with garlic butter and parsley. Simple and great with saucy or glazed meatballs.
13. Bell Pepper Rice
Rice served with stir-fried bell peppers and onions. Colorful, quick and ideal for sweet and sour meatballs.
14. Herbed Quinoa
Fluffy quinoa tossed with basil, parsley, lemon and olive oil. A lighter, protein-packed side for turkey meatballs.
15. Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy pasta is a kid-pleaser next to BBQ or party meatballs. Bake it with a crunchy top for extra wow.
Get the recipe →Vegetable Sides
16. Garlic Green Beans
Blanched green beans tossed in butter, garlic and lemon. Bright, crisp and ready in 10 minutes.
Get the recipe →
17. Sesame Green Beans
Green beans stir-fried with soy sauce, garlic and sesame seeds. Perfect with Asian-style or teriyaki meatballs.
18. Lemon Garlic Broccolini
Broccolini sautéed with olive oil, garlic and a squeeze of lemon. Fresh and green next to a rich sauce.
19. Roasted Asparagus With Bacon
Bundles of asparagus wrapped in bacon and roasted at 400°F until crisp. Smoky and a little fancy.
20. Cauliflower Rice
Riced cauliflower sautéed in butter or olive oil. A light, low-carb base that soaks up sauce.
21. Roasted Corn
Corn roasted in its husk or charred in a skillet, then finished with butter and salt. Sweet and great with BBQ meatballs.
22. Vegetable Kabobs
Peppers, onion, zucchini and squash threaded on skewers and grilled. Add meatballs to the skewers for a fun party plate.
23. Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan
Broccoli roasted at 425°F until the edges char, then showered with Parmesan. Kids eat this one, promise.
24. Sautéed Spinach With Garlic
A big pile of spinach wilted with garlic and chili flakes in about 3 minutes. Quick, light and very Italian.
Bread for Mopping Up Sauce
25. Garlic Bread
Crusty bread slathered in garlic butter and baked until golden. Non-negotiable with marinara meatballs, if you ask me.
26. Soft Breadsticks
Pillowy garlic breadsticks for dunking. Make them from scratch or bake them while the meatballs simmer.
Get the recipe →
27. Cheesy Bread Croutons
Cubes of bread tossed with olive oil, Italian herbs and Parmesan and baked until crunchy. Scatter over saucy meatballs.
28. Sub Rolls or Slider Buns
Turn dinner into meatball subs or sliders with melted provolone. Toast the rolls first so they don't go soggy.
Get the recipe →Salads and Fresh Sides
29. Caprese Salad
Sliced mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and basil with olive oil and balsamic. Fresh, simple and made for Italian meatballs.
30. Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine, Parmesan and crunchy croutons in a creamy, garlicky dressing. A classic next to spaghetti and meatballs.
31. Couscous Cranberry Spinach Salad
Warm couscous with baby spinach, dried cranberries and a lemon dressing. Lovely with turkey or chicken meatballs.
32. Creamy Coleslaw
Crunchy cabbage and carrot in a tangy dressing. Just right with BBQ or buffalo meatballs.
Get the recipe →33. Cucumber Dill Salad
Thin cucumber slices in vinegar, dill and a pinch of sugar. Traditional with Swedish meatballs and very refreshing.
34. Greek Salad With Tzatziki
Tomato, cucumber, red onion, olives and feta, plus a bowl of tzatziki for dipping Greek-style lamb or beef meatballs.
35. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, red onion and herbs in a lemony dressing. Hearty enough to stretch a small batch of meatballs.
Best Sides by Meatball Style
| Meatball style | Best sides | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Italian, in marinara | Spaghetti, polenta, garlic bread, Caesar or Caprese salad | Starch soaks up the sauce; salad keeps it fresh |
| Swedish, in cream gravy | Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, cucumber dill salad, lingonberry jam | The classic Swedish plate; tangy sides cut the cream |
| Asian, teriyaki or sweet and sour | Jasmine rice, sesame green beans, bell pepper rice | Rice carries the glaze; crunchy veg adds texture |
| BBQ or party meatballs | Mac and cheese, coleslaw, roasted corn, slider buns | Game-day comfort food that is easy to serve |
| Greek or Middle Eastern | Rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, warm pita, chickpea salad | Cool yogurt and fresh veg balance warm spices |
Tips for a Great Meatball Dinner
- Cook meatballs to a safe temperature. Ground beef, pork and lamb meatballs are done at 160°F; turkey and chicken meatballs need 165°F. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out.
- Sauce the starch. Toss pasta or noodles with a ladle of sauce before adding the meatballs, so the whole plate is flavorful.
- Make it ahead. Meatballs reheat beautifully in their sauce. Warm them gently until they reach 165°F.
- Feeding a crowd? Keep party meatballs warm in a slow cooker and set out slider buns, slaw and mac and cheese buffet-style.
More Meatball Recipes
Need a meatball recipe to go with your sides? Try Gordon Ramsay-inspired meatballs or our copycat IKEA Swedish meatballs with creamy gravy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes well with meatballs?
Meatballs go well with pasta, egg noodles, polenta, rice, mashed or roasted potatoes, garlic bread and green vegetables such as green beans or broccoli. A crisp Caesar, Caprese or cucumber salad balances the richness. Choose a starch that soaks up the sauce plus one fresh vegetable or salad.
What can I serve with meatballs instead of pasta?
Try creamy or seared polenta, mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa or couscous. For low-carb options, use zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice. You can also serve meatballs in sub rolls or slider buns, or with crusty bread for dipping into the sauce.
What vegetables go with meatballs?
Green beans, broccoli, broccolini, asparagus, spinach and zucchini all go well with meatballs. Roasted vegetables and grilled vegetable kabobs work for parties. For Swedish meatballs, a simple cucumber dill salad is traditional, and roasted corn is great with BBQ meatballs.
What do you serve with Swedish meatballs?
Swedish meatballs are traditionally served with mashed or boiled potatoes, creamy gravy, lingonberry jam and quick pickled cucumbers. Buttered egg noodles are a popular American alternative. Add green beans or peas if you want a vegetable on the plate.
What do you serve with meatballs at a party?
For a party, keep meatballs warm in a slow cooker and serve them with toothpicks or slider buns. Good sides are mac and cheese, coleslaw, a big green salad, garlic bread, vegetable kabobs and roasted corn. Everything can sit buffet-style without fuss.
