When we hear the word “meatballs,” we always instantly associate it with spaghetti. But while spaghetti and meatballs make an excellent classic tandem, did you know that other dishes also go perfectly great with meatballs?
Meatballs should not be treated merely as “pasta toppings” because these balls of meaty goodness can also serve as mouth-watering sides and even become the star of each meal!
Today, we will delve into the best side dishes for BBQ meatballs that everyone at your next BBQ Party will surely love! Make sure to take note of each one as dive right into the meaty details!
1. Rice
The number one on our list of what goes with barbecue meatballs is rice! Yes, those meatballs serve as a perfect viand!
You can add your twist to this “rice and meatball” tandem by throwing in some mixed veggies with your rice (e.g., corn, green peas, carrots, some herbs, and spices) and adding some soy garlic sauce to your barbecue meatballs!
Those vegetables you mixed in with the rice would make this meal perfectly balanced.
Since the rice will not have that much flavor, the ingredient that would surely make this meal stand out is the sauce for your meatballs, so make sure to prepare a good one!
You can make your sauce by merely mixing some soy sauce, sugar, pepper, and adding in some sauteed minced garlic to it to add a sweet, salty, and garlic-y kick to your meal!
2. Mashed Potatoes
If you think of what to serve with BBQ Meatballs, mashed potatoes should be there on your list! You should have this if you want some carbs and do not prefer rice. Mashed potatoes can also be an excellent substitute for pasta.
You can also add sour cream, butter, garlic chips, or some cheese to your mashed potato to give it more bold flavors!
Combining the cheesy goodness of the mashed potato and the juicy barbecue meatballs with mushroom gravy would surely make everyone think you are a 5-star cook!
3. Roasted Potato Salad
Barbecue meatballs would also go great with a roasted potato salad. Roasting the potato and adding some olive oil to it, minced garlic, and rosemary would surely make everyone on the dinner table go “wow”! It is perfect if you want to add a healthy kick to your barbecue meatballs.
You can make this dish, too, if you want your children to have their daily dose of veggies while enjoying the meaty goodness of the barbecue (you will thank me later!).
This recipe is straightforward to make, and it is the perfect dish for when you are having a busy night!
4. Bread and buns
If you are contemplating what to eat with barbecue meatballs, you should consider pairing it with some bread and buns!
It would make an excellent alternative when you want to have some burgers but is tired of making the same old beef patty every week.
All you must do is add some mustard, jalapeno, and cheese or a sour cream sauce to your barbecue meatballs and you are all set!
You can even eat your barbecue meatball sub even on the go! Just make sure to use a thick slice of bread so that your sauces will not turn your burger soft and “soggy.”
5. Macaroni and Cheese
Another dish in our list of “what goes with BBQ meatballs” is the all-time favorite Mac and Cheese!
The cheesy goodness of the macaroni will go perfectly well with the saltiness and smoked flavor of your barbecue meatballs.
If you need some quick and easy sides you can make, you will never go wrong with mac and cheese! It is a perfect combo for a family dinner, or friendly gathering with mac and cheese is a well-known favorite.
6. Baked beans
Behind every cook is someone who wants to make a perfectly balanced meal, right? Adding these healthy and perfectly seasoned baked beans to your barbecue meatballs will surely give you that healthy combination you are craving!
If you are adventurous, you can add sour cream to your baked beans and meatballs to make it even more enticing. It will surely help you get that rich and creamy goodness you are aiming to get!
7. Fries
BBQ Meatballs and fries? Why not! Another all-time favorite, this combination is the perfect appetizer slash finger food for any occasion! What would make this tandem stand out is the dip you will be serving along with it.
To make this dish more interesting, make various dips that can cater to everyone’s taste! You can opt for salsa, jalapeno and cheese, sour cream, and a French onion flavored mayonnaise.
If you have limited availability, cannot spare some time to craft all these sauces, you can always buy pre-made dips in your local department store.
Also read >> Good BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork
8. Baked potatoes
The last side partner on our list of “what to eat with BBQ meatballs” are baked potatoes. You may have noticed that we have mentioned at least four potato side dishes on this list.
It is because potatoes are a perfect match for almost anything – including your barbecue meatballs!
All you need a bit of olive oil for the potatoes, some herbs and spices, bake it, mix it with the meatballs along with a sour cream sauce, and voila – you already have a mouth-watering meal in as fast as 25 minutes!
Baking the potatoes with various seasonings adds more flavor to it than when you simply put them to a boil.
Also read >> Most Popular BBQ Sauce for Ribs
Conclusion
It would be best if you got rid of that age-old notion that the only perfect pair for meatballs is pasta like spaghetti. Meatballs are more flexible than that and can go perfectly well with almost any side dish!
All you need is quick thinking and creativity in mixing and matching this with flavorful ingredients.
So, when someone approaches you next time and ask you what you think would be excellent side dishes for BBQ meatballs, do not just settle with “pasta.” Now you have a repertoire of choices to offer!
Also read >> Advantages and Disadvantages of Grilling
