Best 20 Mini Meatballs Recipes

GRANDMA GUARNASCHELLI'S LASAGNA WITH MINI BEEF MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Stir in the red pepper flakes and sugar, and cook for about 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, with their juices, and the oregano. Cook for a few minutes over high heat, stirring from time to time. Taste for seasoning, add the basil leaves, and remove from the heat.
• Make the meatballs: Put the beef and veal in a large bowl and spread the meat all over the bottom of the bowl and up the sides a little. (This will help you to distribute the seasonings evenly through the meat.) Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Then sprinkle the bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and parsley all over the meat and use your hands to mix the ingredients together. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and garlic. Drizzle the egg mixture over the meat. Mix the meat thoroughly with your hands.
• Test a meatball: Form 1 small meatball (about 1 inch in diameter) with your hands. Heat a splash of the canola oil in a small skillet over high heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the meatball, lower the heat, and cook it over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and texture. If it seems too wet, add some more bread crumbs to the mixture in the bowl. If it is too dry, add a splash of water. Adjust the seasoning of the mixture in the bowl as needed. Roll the remaining meat into balls; you should have about 40 very small meatballs.
• Cook the meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add half of the remaining canola oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, remove the pan from the heat and add half of the meatballs in a single layer, spreading them apart somewhat so they have a chance to brown instead of steaming. Return the pan to high heat and brown the meatballs, turning them so they brown all around, until medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel to drain. Wipe out the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining canola oil and meatballs.
• Cook the pasta: Bring 6 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot over high heat and season with 1/2 cup salt. The pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the lasagna sheets, stirring with a slotted spoon to make sure they do not clump or stick to the bottom, and cook for 4 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water, and drain again. The pasta should still be very firm to the touch. Separate the sheets carefully so they don't stick together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Assemble the lasagna: Spoon a thin layer of the sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Arrange a layer of pasta sheets over the sauce. Sprinkle one-fourth of the mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano over the pasta, and then add another thin layer of sauce. Dot the surface with about one-third of the meatballs, spacing them evenly. Repeat the layering process two more times. Add a final layer of pasta and top it with the remaining sauce and cheese.
• Bake the lasagna: Cover the dish tightly with foil and put it in the center of the oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Then raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and remove the foil. Bake the lasagna until the top browns slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes or so before serving.

MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix really well.
• Roll meat into 1" balls- at this point, you can either continue or freeze them for later use, providing your beef wasn't pre-frozen.
• Arrange the meatballs on a rack over a foil-lined pan (for easy clean-up).
• Bake in a 400ºF oven for about 10 minutes, or until meatballs are browned- you can also freeze them at this point, or use them in other dishes (or just eat them plain).

ORECCHIETTE WITH MINI CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, and the salt and pepper. Add the chicken and gently stir to combine.
• Using a melon baller (or a teaspoon measure), form the chicken mixture into 3/4-inch pieces. With damp hands, roll the chicken pieces into mini meatballs.
• In a large (14-inch) skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and brown the other side, about 2 minutes longer. Add the chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tomatoes are soft and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Transfer pasta to a large serving bowl and add the Parmesan. Toss to lightly coat orecchiette, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Add the meatball mixture, mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the basil. Gently toss to combine. Garnish with the chopped basil.

ITALIAN MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In medium bowl, combine all ingredients; shape into 3/4 inch balls.
• Place meatballs in 15X10 inch jelly roll pan.
• Bake 20 minutes or until brown.

MINI ASIAN MEATBALLS IN LETTUCE CUPS

Steps:

• Finely chop together garlic, ginger, and scallions. In a bowl, gently combine garlic mixture with ground beef, fish sauce, and salt. Form mixture into 52 meatballs, each 1 inch in diameter.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high. Working in batches, fry meatballs until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes a batch.
• In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and lime juice. Serve meatballs in lettuce cups, with lime mayonnaise and accompaniments.

PENNE WITH VODKA SAUCE AND MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, mix the beef, 1/4 cup parmesan, the breadcrumbs, egg, 1/2 cup basil, the minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands until just combined. Form into 3/4-inch meatballs (about 20). Grate the tomatoes into a medium bowl; discard the skins.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then the meatballs. Cook, turning, until browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and cook until just golden, about 1 minute. Gradually add the vodka, then the grated tomatoes and cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Add the pasta and the remaining 1/4 cup basil to the skillet; toss, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Remove from the heat and add the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan; toss.

MINI HOT DOGS 'N' MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low until heated through, 3-4 hours.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH MINI-MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, water, egg, 1/3 cup onion, bread crumbs, cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
• Shape the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs.
• In a large pot, combine the broth, carrots, celery, 1/2 large onion and bring them to a simmer. Add the orzo and let it cook for 5 minutes (pastina takes 2 minutes), stirring frequently.
• Add the meatballs and simmer them in broth for 15-20 minutes. Then stir in the spinach and simmer it until it's wilted, about 1 minute.
• (I also have added fresh parsley to the soup when I have it! - about 1/4 cup chopped).

BAKED ZITI WITH MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• .1. Cook ziti until al dente and then rinse to cool and set aside.
• 2. Mix ground meat, onion, bread crumbs, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 egg and 1/2 tsp basil. Form into small meatballs ( a little less than a walnut). Then cook the meatballs in the olive oil until the meatballs are browned and cooked through. Drain off the fat then set aside.
• 3. Mix the ricotta, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp parsley, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 of mozzarella and 1 egg together. Set aside. Then mix the ricotta mixture with the ziti and set aside again.
• 4. Mix the jar of pasta sauce and the basil crushed tomatoes together then set aside.
• 5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• 6. Assemble: 1/3 of the sauce- followed by 1/2 of the ziti/ricotta/mozzarella-followed by the meatballs- then -- 1/3 sauce - followed by the rest of the ziti/ricotta/mozzarella mix- followed by the last 1/3 of the sauce followed by the rest of the mozzarella and sprinkled with the parmesan cheese.
• 7. Bake, loosely covered with foil for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving.

SOUTHWESTERN MINI TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl Mix together yogurt, salsa, cumin and chipotle chili powder. Set 1 1/2 cups aside in the refrigerator.
• In another bowl mix together turkey, crushed chips, egg, remaining seasoned yogurt, cilantro, corn, black beans. Using a small scoop spoon, make tablespoon sized balls, and place on a lightly greased shallow baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Serve meat balls on shredded lettuce with reserved sauce for dipping.

BAKED RIGATONI WITH MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in a straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 45 seconds. Add pureed tomatoes and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain pasta; return to pot and toss with sauce and cubed cheese.
• Transfer mixture to an 8-inch square baking dish; cover with parchment-lined foil. Bake until bubbling, 15 minutes. Uncover; top with sliced cheese. Adjust oven to broil; cook until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes and serve.

MINI MEATBALLS IN SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix pork, veal, 1 tablespoon parsley, half of garlic, egg, bread, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl to blend. Shape meat mixture into 1-inch balls. Dust meatballs with flour. Set aside.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and sauté until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to plate. Add onion to skillet; reduce heat to medium and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in paprika, then 1 cup broth and wine. Return meatballs with any accumulated juices to skillet. Bring to simmer. Cover and cook until meatballs are tender, about 25 minutes. Uncover; add 2 tablespoons parsley, remaining garlic, and saffron. Simmer until sauce thickens, turning meatballs occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer, thinning with broth if necessary.)
• Place meatballs with sauce on platter. Top with 1 tablespoon parsley.

MINI MEXICAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Gently mix the meatloaf mix, breadcrumbs, chili powder, oregano, cumin, egg, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper until combined. Shape into 24 meatballs, about 1 heaping tablespoon per meatball.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the meatballs, turning occasionally until browned on the outside and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle lightly with salt. Adjust the heat as needed while frying so the meatballs do not burn before cooking through.
• Drizzle the crema over the meatballs and sprinkle with the cilantro.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH MINI MEATBALLS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• For meatballs; in a large bowl combine all meatball ingredients together; mix using clean hands.
• Shape into 3/4-inch balls and place on a plate.
• In a large pot heat the chicken broth until a medium boil; stir in spinach, diced carrots and meatballs; return to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low.
• Cover and cook stirring occasionally over medium-low heat for about 25-30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and the diced carrots are tender.
• Add in cooked pasta or rice and heat through.
• Season with black pepper.
• Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese.

BARBEQUED MINI-MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine first 9 ingredients. Mix well with hands. Shape into the size of walnuts and place in a single layer in a 13 by 9-inch pan. Pour Neelys BBQ sauce over meatballs and bake for 45 minutes. Remove and serve with toothpicks as an appetizer.
• In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cooked uncovered, stirring frequently, for 2 hours.

ORZO WITH MINI SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND KALE

Steps:

• Remove the casings from each sausage link, then pinch about 1 teaspoon sausage with your fingers and roll it into a mini meatball. Repeat with remaining sausage. (Each link should yield 10 to 13 meatballs.) Brown the meatballs in a large cast-iron, enameled cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, until nicely browned all over, about 6 minutes total.
• Add the chicken stock to the pan along with the orzo. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 5 minutes. Lift the lid and give it a stir, making sure no pasta is sticking to the pan. Add the kale, nestle it in, then cover and simmer another 2 minutes. Lift the lid and add the juice from half the lemon (cut the remaining half into wedges). Stir and simmer until the orzo is just al dente, an additional minute or so. Season to taste with a pinch of salt if needed.
• Divide among shallow bowls and garnish with plenty of grated Parmesan, along with extra lemon wedges and parsley. And crusty bread. Always.

SPICY MINI MEATBALLS (ASIAN STYLE)

Steps:

• Fry onions and garlic with olive oil until golden.
• Mix with a hook fried onion, garlic and all other ingredients.
• Grease a baking mold with olive oil.
• Grease your hands and shape small balls of about 1 inch.
• Bake under the grill for about 10-15 Minutes or until lightly browned und through.

BAKED BUFFALO CHICKEN MINI MEATBALLS

Steps:

• line cookie sheet with foil and spray foil with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• in a large bowl, mix ground chicken, panko, celery seed, 1/4 cup of the hot sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, 2 eggs, salt and pepper. The mixture will be very sticky unlike my other meatball mix (but this is correct). With damp hands shape into 1.5-2 inch balls the best you can (they do not need to be perfect) and place evenly on prepped cookie sheet.
• spray the top of the meatballs with a little cooking spray. important. why? it gives you a crispier / more brown meatball.
• bake meatballs at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, flip them and bake for an additional 10 minutes (if all the mix does not fit on your cookie sheet, refrigerate mix as you will need to bake a second batch. Do not forget to put new foil and spray on the cookie sheet for second round).
• sauce: in small bowl melt 3/4 cup softened butter (about 30 sec in microwave) and add the remaining 1/2 cup of hot sauce. Taste sauce. A little too hot for you or the kids? That's ok, whisk in 3-5 tbsp of tomato paste until the desired 'heat' is reached (I usually add 3 tbsp tomato paste when I make the sauce).
• drizzle the sauce over the meatballs; gently toss to coat.
• transfer to serving dish with some celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

MINI TURKEY MEATBALLS WITH GNOCCHI AND TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place turkey in a large bowl with grill seasoning and fennel seeds.
• Pile sun-dried tomatoes on top of each other in small stacks then slice into thin strips. Coarsely chop the thin strips and add to bowl.
• Stack the basil leaves together then roll them up into a log. Shred the basil by thinly slicing the log. Add half the basil to the bowl.
• Drizzle some olive oil over the bowl.
• Mix turkey together, roll into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until firm and lightly golden.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil for the gnocchi.
• While the water is coming to a boil, heat a large skillet over medium heat. To the hot skillet, add 2 T olive oil, garlic, onion and red pepper flakes. Cook until tender, about 5-6 minutes.
• Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and season with salt and pepper.
• Drop gnocchi into pot of boiling water and cook 5 minutes (or to package directions.).
• Stir remaining basil into sauce to wilt it.
• Drain gnocchi and arrange on a platter. Remove meatballs from oven and add to gnocchi, equally distributing them. Sprinkle cheese over the meatballs and gnocchi then top with sauce.
• Serve with bread.
• Note: The tomato sauce is very basic. Feel free to add additional spices.

ORECCHIETTE WITH MINI CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Lightly beat one egg.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, egg, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, salt, and pepper. If too dry, lightly beat and add second egg.
• Add the chicken and combine well.
• Using a melon baller (or a teaspoon measure) to scoop up the mixture, roll the seasoned chicken into ¾-inch mini meatballs.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs and brown the tops, about 2 minutes longer.
• Add the chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the tomatoes are soft and the meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl and add ½ cup of the Parmesan. Toss to coat the orecchiette lightly, adding some of the reserved pasta water to help make a sauce.
• Add the meatball mixture, bocconcini, and ½ cup of the basil and combine. Garnish with the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan and the remaining basil.