Step away from the hot dogs and frozen chicken nuggets! If you're looking to get your kiddo into a different type of meat meal, look no further than these tasty meatball recipes. Even if your child is a picky eater [1], you could have success with meatballs when introduced as a new food.
Read through to find 15 kid-friendly meatball recipes that your kiddo will no doubt go ballistic for.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Pizza
Every kid loves pizza, so why not turn pizza into a meatball recipe? This spaghetti and meatballs pizza [2] is sure to be a hit in your home!
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Turn a classic into a meatball with this recipe for chicken parmesan meatballs [3].
Crockpot Meatballs in a Creamy Tomato Sauce
Whether you follow this meatball recipe [4] or a family favorite, Crockpot Gourmet's creamy tomato sauce is one your kids will love.
Saucy Meatball Sliders
These tiny sliders [5] will fit in tiny hands with ease and make dinner time a happy time.
Turkey and Zucchini Meatballs
Meatballs are a great way to sneak some veggies into your kiddo's diet, as proven with these amazing-looking turkey meatballs [6], which have zucchini rolled in!
Turkey Burger Kabobs
If you let your kids help you assemble these adorable turkey burger kabobs [7], they're much more likely to eat the creation they worked so hard on!
Cheese-Stuffed Meatball Sub
These subs [8] are full of cheese-stuffed meatballs and tomato sauce — what's not to love?!
BBQ Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs
These BBQ cheddar stuffed meatballs [9] are like mini-cheeseburgers and can be served with your little one's favorite side dish.
Baked Meatballs in Tomato Cream Sauce
Your kiddos will destroy these baked meatballs [10] — especially if served over garlic bread, as the recipe suggests — and it's a one-pot meal, meaning fewer dishes at the end!
Baked Cheesy Ranch Meatballs
Cheese? Good. Ranch? Good. Turkey? Good. These cheesy ranch meatballs [11] are perfect for littles who aren't as into red meat or for a change in routine.
BBQ Maple Cocktail Meatballs
Look to your slow cooker to help you prepare these decadent BBQ maple cocktail meatballs [12], which are perfect for tiny mouths.
Gluten- and Dairy-Free Meatballs
For a household with allergies, these gluten- and dairy-free meatballs [13] will be a new go-to recipe.
Slow-Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs
This recipe [14] is so easy that your kids can help you make it (and scarf it down)!
Apple Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Make it Thanksgiving all the time with these apple cranberry turkey meatballs [15].
Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
For adventurous kids willing to taste a little chili sauce (mixed with grape jelly to mellow it out), this sweet and spicy meatball recipe [16] is a crockpot win.