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What Vegetable to Serve with Meatballs (19 Veggies)

Meatballs are a staple of many meals, and they’re often served with a side of vegetables.

But what kind of vegetables should you serve with your meatballs?

What Vegetable to Serve with Meatballs

It’s easy to fall into a rut when it comes to serving vegetables with meatball dishes.

But there are so many great options out there—you just have to know where to look.

So what vegetables go well with meatballs?

It depends on what kind of flavor profile you’re looking for. If you want something light and fresh-tasting, try pairing them with tomatoes or bell peppers. If you’re more interested in something more hearty, try pairing them with cabbage or potatoes instead!

In this article, we’ll look at 19 different veggie options for topping off your meatballs.

What Vegetable to Serve with Meatballs

meatballs with vegetables

We’re always looking for ways to make our favorite meals healthier, and one way to do this is by adding more vegetables.

It’s a win-win: You get more vitamins and nutrients, and the meatball gets a delicious crunchy addition.

And when it comes to meatballs, the possibilities are endless.

They can be served over pasta, with mashed potatoes, or even on their own as a snack.

The beauty of meatballs is that they’re so versatile.

They can take on the flavor of whatever you serve them with, and they make a delicious addition to any dish.

But when it comes to pairing your meatballs with vegetables, which ones are the best?

Let’s find out!

1. Green Beans

Green Beans

Green beans (See Also: what to do with canned green beans) are an underrated vegetable—they’re easy to cook, they’re low in calories, and they add a nice crunchy texture to any meal.

They’re also super versatile: You can steam them, saute them in butter, or simply eat them raw as a snack (if you’re feeling fancy).

With such an array of possibilities, green beans are a great addition to any meatball meal!

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Cutting up tomatoes is one of those things that takes very little time but adds so much flavor to your dish!

They’re perfect for meatballs because they add tanginess and sweetness.

Plus, you can use them on sandwiches or salads too if you don’t want them in your meatballs!

3. Potatoes

Steamed Potatoes

Potatoes are the perfect side for your meatballs because they absorb the flavors of whatever you’re cooking and turn delightfully crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside—a perfect combination for absorbing all that extra gravy from those meatballs!

4. Quinoa

Quinoa flakes

Quinoa is one of those foods that everyone knows about but doesn’t really understand: It’s technically not really a grain or seed at all—it’s actually a seedlike fruit (yes—quinoa is technically both).

Regardless of what it is exactly, quinoa makes for a great addition to any dish because it has so many nutrients packed into each tiny little grain!

And when paired with meatballs?

Well—you can just imagine how amazing this pairing will be!

5. Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can be intimidating if you’ve never cooked with them before, but don’t let their strange appearance fool you!

They are actually quite healthy and packed with tons of nutrients.

They also have a meaty texture that works well with most dishes—even when paired with meatballs!

6. Zucchini/Courgette

Zucchini

Zucchini is another vegetable that has a slightly different texture than many other veggies.

It’s more soft than crunchy, but still has a hearty bite to it—which makes it perfect for pairing with meatballs!

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are another underrated vegetable that we think goes perfectly with meatballs.

They’re easy to cook, low in calories, and have a sweet flavor that pairs well with savory dishes like meatballs.

They’re also super versatile: You can bake them in the oven or boil them in water until soft before adding them to your meal.

With such an array of possibilities, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any meatball meal!

8. Peas

Peas

Peas are another underrated veggie that will make your meatballs taste even better.

They’re sweet and crunchy but still incredibly healthy—what more could you want?

Try swapping out some of the meat in your recipe with peas for something new and exciting!

9. Cauliflower

Cauliflower

We think cauliflower is one of the most underrated vegetables out there—and it’s one of our favorites.

It’s versatile enough to go into almost any dish (we like roasting it), but it also holds up well against strong flavors like garlic and onion.

Cauliflower is also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber—so it’s really good for you too!

10. Broccoli

Broccoli

Broccoli is a vegetable that has so many uses—and most of those uses are tasty.

From soups to stir-frys to even salads, broccoli can be prepared in so many ways that it’s a wonder we don’t eat it more often.

And since it’s low in calories, you can add it to any meal without worrying about your waistline.

11. Corn (fresh or frozen)

Corn on the cob

If you want something more substantial than just plain old green beans on the side of your meatballs, try adding some corn!

Frozen corn is always a good option because it’s already cooked and has been frozen at its peak freshness—all you have to do is heat it up for about five minutes in the microwave (or 15-20 minutes in the oven).

12. Asparagus

Asparagus

Asparagus is the ultimate side dish for any meal—and it goes perfectly with meatballs!

You can serve it hot or cold, so whether you want something light on your plate or something crispy and fresh from the oven, asparagus will make sure your meatballs get their due attention.

And if nothing else? They look good on Instagram!

13. Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts tend to get a bad rap because people think they taste like cabbage when cooked poorly.

But if you try roasting them instead of boiling or microwaving them, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing dish that’s both sweet and savory and goes perfectly with your meatballs.

Plus, Brussels sprouts are packed with antioxidants—so you can feel good about eating these veggies!

14. Celery root

Celery root

Celery root is another underrated vegetable that deserves more love from the foodie community.

It has a mild flavor that makes it easy to combine with other ingredients.

Plus, it’s very versatile: You can slice it thin and use it as an alternative for chips on top of sandwiches, roast it in the oven until soft and tender (like potatoes), or chop it up finely for soups and stews like minestrone soup or goulash!

15. Leeks (or scallions)

Leeks

Leeks are a member of the onion family and have a milder flavor than other members of their clan.

They can be used to flavor soups and stews or added raw to salads for a hint of sweetness and crunch.

Leeks also go really well with meatballs because they add some nice texture that contrasts with the softness of the meatballs themselves without overpowering them with flavor (like onions might).

16. Onion

Onions

Onions are great for adding a little zing to your meatballs—but don’t go overboard!

If you use too much onion, it can overwhelm the flavor of your dish.

That’s why we recommend using only one or two onions per 1/4 pound of meatballs at most. It’s better to err on the side of caution here than risk ruining your meal by using too many onions!

17. Eggplant

Eggplants

Eggplant is another one of those underrated vegetables that we’ve been known to use for more ways than just roasting it on the grill.

It has a slight vegetal bitterness that can balance out the sweetness of meatballs really well.

Try sauteing some eggplant slices until soft and then adding them to your meatball mix instead of breadcrumbs!

18. Carrots

Carrots

Carrots are sweet and earthy—they have a strong aroma that combines well with meatballs’ earthy taste.

Their sweetness helps balance out the salty flavor of the meatballs themselves.

Carrots’ earthiness complements their own sweetness well—their woody quality is similar to that of the mushrooms in many recipes for meatballs (and it tastes great!).

19. Peppers (green, red, yellow)

Bell Peppers

Peppers are another one of those underrated vegetables that can make your meal stand out from the rest. If you have the time and energy to roast or grill your peppers before adding them to your meatballs or other dishes (like soups), then go ahead!

But if not, just slice them up into small pieces and cook them with your meatballs until they’re soft enough for your liking—either way works!

meatballs with vegetables

19 Best Vegetables to Serve with Meatballs

The best vegetables to serve with meatballs are ones that can stand up to the flavor of the meatball.
If your meatball is a spicy one, then you want to pair it with something that can cut through that spice. Carrots, onions, and potatoes all work well here.
If your meatball has a lot of garlic in it, then you'll want to pair it with something that can soak up some of that flavor.
Broccoli and cauliflower both absorb garlic well and make a great pairing.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Vegetables
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 50 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Green Beans
  • Tomatoes
  • Potatoes
  • Quinoa
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini/Courgette
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Peas
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Corn (fresh or frozen)
  • Asparagus
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Celery root
  • Leeks (or scallions)
  • Onion
  • Eggplant
  • Carrots
  • Peppers (green, red, yellow)

Instructions
 

  • Pick any amount of veggies from this list to serve with your delicious meatballs.
  • Prepare the rest of your meal.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword what veg goes with meatballs, what vegetable to serve with meatballs, what veggies go with meatballs
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.