I’ve always been a lover of meatballs. They are a versatile dish that can be made using different variations and sauces and can be made the way you like it!
But did you know that you can “build” your own “mix and match” meatballs? Yes, by this I mean you can use any meat of your choice or basically a protein (so it can even be plant-based in case you are vegan), pick your own seasoning and choose a sauce to toss them in!
Want to know how to make these “mix and match” meatballs, well, check out this article for the formula!
How to Make Meatballs?
Below, I’ll give you the recipe or the base formula to make meatballs. Thereafter, I will also discuss the different protein options you can use, seasoning choices and sauce ideas as well. So, let’s get started.
Making Your Own Mix and Match Meatballs
Protein Options For your protein, you can pick from:
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Shrimp (for pescatarians)
- Plant-based protein (for vegans and vegetarians)
2. Choose A Binder –
- Breadcrumbs
- Panko
- Saltines, crushed
- Butter crackers, crushed
Seasoning Options
For your seasonings, you can pick from:
- Taco
- Ketchup
- All-spice
- Grated Parmesan
- Steak
- Italian
- Old Bay
- Ginger Paste
- Mustard
- Grated Cheddar
- Lemon Zest
- Nutmeg
Sauce Options: Here are some sauce options you can choose from:
- Chili-garlic
- Barbecue
- Pasta Sauce
- Cheese Dip
- Seafood Scampi
Garnish Options – Here are some garnish options to choose from:
- Basil leaves
- Parsley leaves
- Cilantro leaves
- Dill leaves
- Diced tomato
- Crushed red pepper or chili flakes
- Swedish mix
Meatball Recipe: Base Formula
- 450 grams (1 lb) mashed/ground protein
- 1 large egg (well-beaten)
- ¼ cup dried bread crumbs
- ¼ cup green onions (or any veggies of choice), finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2-3 tsp Seasonings of choice ( add more if needed )
Method:
Into a mixing bowl, add in all the ingredients and mix well until well combined. Then shape the meatballs using your palms and set aside or refrigerate for an hour.
Cooking the meatballs:
In a skillet:
Use a large skillet, heat it over medium heat and spray it with oil or cooking spray. Then, cook the meatballs in the skillet over medium to low heat for about 8 minutes. Turn your meatballs every few minutes to get it cooked evenly. Once they are cooked, remove and set aside or drop into pre-prepared gravy or enjoy with a sauce/dip.
In the oven:
Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a large baking tray with parchment paper and spray it with oil or cooking spray. Then, place the meatballs over the tray, leaving sufficient space between each meatball. Bake for about 6 minutes (in case they are vegetarian or sea food meatballs) and for 10 minutes (in case of meat/poultry meatballs). Make sure to turn them half way. Once cooked, set them aside or drop into pre-prepared gravy or enjoy with a sauce/dip.