23 Homemade Sauces For Meatballs You Need To Try

Meatballs are a really popular dish that is beloved by millions of people all over the world. But you might be wondering if you can change up the sauce that you use to go with it and you definitely can!

We’ve put together a list of 23 homemade meatball sauces you definitely need to try. This list includes sauces you might never have considered before, so let’s dive in!

1. Hawaiian Sauce

Kicking off the list we have the Hawaiian Sauce. This sauce emulates a classic Hawaiian pizza and it absolutely oozes the beautiful taste of pineapple.

If you’re looking for a sauce that’s a bit more exciting than the standard meatball sauce, you will want to try this sauce.

You can find the full recipe for this Hawaiian sauce here

2. Marinara Sauce

We couldn’t make a list of meatball sauces without adding the classic Mariana sauce to list.

Though this sauce is one of the most popular, most people resort to getting the ready-made store-bought version.

If you want to experience Marinara sauce properly though, you definitely need to try this homemade recipe.

It’s relatively easy to make and when it’s done you’ll be able to have a classic bowl of spaghetti and meatballs in no time.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

3. Swedish Meatball Sauce

If you want a sauce that is more Swedish than Italian, then you definitely need to try this Swedish meatball sauce.

Lots of people consider this sauce to be extreme comfort food. It is very creamy but also has a slight tang that makes it lovely in every mouthful.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

4. Honey Garlic Meatball Sauce

If you love the taste of honey and garlic, then you’ll definitely want to try this honey and garlic meatball sauce.

The mixture of the sweet and savory flavors offers you a unique sauce that will keep making you want to come back for more.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

5. Sour Cream Sauce

This sour cream meatball sauce is perfect for anyone who wants a sauce that is a bit cooler and lighter in flavor but still tastes beautiful.

The the sour cream in this sauce really bring out extra flavor in the meatballs and will make your meatball meal taste even better.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

6. Sweet And Sour Meatball Sauce

Sweet and Sour sauce is already a really popular sauce usually used in Asian dishes, so why not incorporate it into your meatball dishes?

This sauce will only take you around 20 minutes to make altogether, so if you want something that is quick, delicious, and quite easy to make, then sauce will be perfect for you.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

7. Mushroom Gravy

This is one for all the mushroom lovers out there. This Mushroom gravy is perfect for cold nights and offers you a great deal of comfort as well as a whole load of flavor.

Along with meatballs, you can also use this mushroom gravy sauce for things like mashed potatoes and other veggies, so it’s very versatile.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

8. Grape Jelly Sauce

You might be turning your nose up at this option just from what it’s called, but if you are brave enough to try this sauce, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how lovely it tastes.

When it’s cooked and combined with the meatballs, the grape jelly will offer you a wonderfully sweet taste that becomes incredibly addictive with each mouthful.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

9. Guajillo Sauce

Guajillo is a very common pepper that is found in Mexico and is used in a lot of Mexican dishes.

This sauce isn’t as well known as some of the others on this list, but it’s definitely one you need to try.

This sauce has been described as “smokey” and “rich”, so it’s perfect if you want a sauce with a deeper flavor.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

10. Garlic Butter Sauce

Sometimes less is more, and this garlic butter sauce is the perfect example of that fact.

It is incredibly easy to make and you only need four ingredients to get this sauce going, making it perfect for anyone who wants a sauce that will complement the meatballs and add a beautiful flavor.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

11. Meatball Dipping Sauce

This option is slightly different from your standard sauce because it’s designed for dipping rather than being a full meal sauce.

You can mix and match some of the ingredients used in this dipping sauce, so you can really cater it to whatever you want it to be.

It’s a great sauce to use when you’re in a bit of a rush and haven’t got as much time to prepare a full-on sauce.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

12. Bolognese

Another classic meatball sauce that 100% deserves a spot on this list is Bolognese sauce.

It is an extremely traditional Italian sauce that is bursting with rich flavor and it pairs with meatballs perfectly.

A homemade Bolognese sauce is always better than a store-bought, so if you’ve never tried a homemade version before, now is your chance!

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

13. Mustard Dill Sauce

If you’re looking for a sauce that is rich in flavor and spicey but not in a peppery way, then you definitely need to try this mustard dill sauce.

It is absolutely bursting with flavor and the tanginess of the mustard pairs perfectly with the meatballs.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

14. Yogurt Sauce

The concept of using yogurt on your sauce may not have crossed your mind until now, and you might even be a little against this concept at first.

But you’d be really surprised to know this yogurt sauce is actually extremely beautiful.

This sauce uses ingredients such as garlic, cucumber, and dill to really provide you with a cool and light flavor that really works well with the meatballs.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

15. Tomato Sauce

If you’re just looking for a sauce that you can whip up quickly that still tastes good, then this tomato sauce is the perfect solution.

It’s incredibly easy to prepare and make and the end result is sublime. Sometimes the most simple of flavors is all you need to create a wonderful meal.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

16. Moroccan Meatball Sauce

This Moroccan meatball sauce is perfect for anyone who wants a tomato-based sauce with extra spice.

It is filled with ingredients such as cinnamon, paprika, coriander, and cumin, so you’ll be sure to bring out the very best of flavors when you make this sauce.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

17. Grandma Yager’s Meatball Sauce

This meatball sauce is only made up of four ingredients which consist of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar.

It has some similarities to the tomato sauce and Moroccan meatball sauce, but the addition of the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce gives Grandma Yager’s meatball sauce its own flare.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

18. Creamy White Wine Mushroom Meatball Sauce

This white wine mushroom sauce is a lot like the mushroom gravy, but it isn’t as thick.

This is a great sauce to use for your meatballs if you want something with a mushroom flavor, but you don’t want something as thick and heavy as a gravy.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

19. Vodka Cream Sauce

If you don’t use much alcohol in your cooking, it might surprise you to know that vodka is actually a wonderful ingredient to get familiar with.

It works really well with sauces because it gives it an extra kick you wouldn’t be able to achieve if you didn’t include it when cooking.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

20. Sunday Sauce

If you’re after a sauce that will take up a lot of time to make but deliver an absolute bounty of flavor, then this Sunday sauce is definitely worth trying.

It’s the perfect sauce to whip up for an extravagant Sunday meal. This is a popular sauce that is very popular in Italian households of all kinds, and because it’s homemade, it tastes even better.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

21. Greek Lemon Sauce

This sauce is heavily inspired by traditional Greek cooking and it is considered to be light and refreshing, so it would be perfect for a hot day.

It’s incredibly savory, but the tanginess and sweetness of the lemon give it an extra boost of flavor that will satisfy you with every mouthful.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

22. Tomato Basil Sauce

This sauce is incredibly similar to the tomato meatball sauce, but the addition of the basil gives it an incredibly herby aftertaste.

Combined with the tanginess of the tomato, this makes the entire sauce extremely comforting and tasty.

It’s a really easy sauce to make and won’t take very long to prepare and cook.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

23. Sage Brown Butter Sauce

And finally, we have this beautiful sage butter sauce. It is incredibly delicious and versatile, you can use it on an array of dishes, not just meatballs.

It’s also so easy to make and great for beginners because it’s almost impossible to mess up.

You can find the full recipe for this sauce here

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Make Good Meatballs?

The secret to making good meatballs lies a lot in the meat that you choose to use. You need to make sure that you use good quality meat so the meatballs will be tender.

You want to make sure that your meatballs have some moisture as well so they don’t come out dry when they are cooked.

How Do You Thicken A Meatball Sauce?

If you want your meatball sauce to be a bit thicker, the best thing you can do is add some more flour.

Do this in moderation though and bit by bit so it doesn’t get too thick too quickly. Test it as you go until you reach your desired consistency.

Why Do You Put Milk In Meatballs?

The main reason milk is added to meatballs is to add moisture. Meatballs should never be dry when you eat them, and the milk helps to stop this from happening.

What Is The Difference Between Swedish Meatballs And Italian Meatballs?

The main difference between these two styles of meatballs is that Swedish meatballs are typically smaller than Italian meatballs.

They are also a bit different in seasoning, as the Swedish meatballs are usually spices like allspice and nutmeg, but the Italian meatballs use parmesan and garlic instead.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are so many different sauces you can make that pair perfectly with meatballs. Try some of these options today and see which one you like the best!