No matter which way you roll them, meatballs are a versatile mealtime staple worth hoarding. Whether you chose to make them with classic Italian flavours, Middle Eastern or even vegetarian, here are four ways to turn your little balls of joy into a brand new meal.
Start with Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs.
1. Italian Wedding Soup
Soup season dictates that once the temperature dips below the freezing point, a steaming bowl of broth should be consumed at least once a week. Thanks to your stash of leftover meatballs, this quick and easy version of Italian wedding soup comes together in mere minutes. Simmer chicken broth and add the cooked meatballs until heated through. Add roughly one cup of spinach and simmer until just wilted. Ladle hot broth to bowls filled with cooked couscous, or any small pasta like ditalini or orzo and finish with a dusting of grated Parmesan.
2. Sandwiches
If you’ve got dinner rolls or a sliced baguette, the time is nigh to create what’s perhaps the most beloved of all the meatball leftovers: the meatball sandwich! Heat cooked meatballs in a saucepan with your favourite tomato sauce, assemble the sandwich and top with any quick-melting cheese like mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is bubbly. Make it fancy by adding fried onions, pepper and even some jalapeño for heat. If your leftover meatballs happen to be flecked with Asian flavours, make a version of Banh Mi by topping your sandwich with pickled carrots and daikon, sprigs of fresh coriander and fiery chilis.
3. Make a Breakfast Hash
Who says you can’t have meatballs for breakfast? For this riff on a classic brunch time hash, sauté onions together with peppers until soft. Add cooked potatoes and fry until they become crispy and form those glorious craggy bits and add the chopped meatballs until heated through. Serve with a fried egg on top and a squirt of hot sauce.
4. Meatball Calzones
Hot and gooey melted cheese is the food equivalent of cozy knit throw and a crackling fire. Quickie homemade calzones using store-bought pizza dough and leftover meatballs are your cheese delivery du jour. Divide the dough into roughly eight equal portions and roll each section off into a circle, spreading on tomato sauce before filling with chopped meatballs, shredded cheese and any vegetables you have laying around.