A quick weeknight dinner or party appetizer idea doesn't have to be complicated to make! This meatball recipe calls for just a handful of purchased ingredients. Dress up the sauce and assemble the dish—it's that easy! Our Test Kitchen likes to serve this as a simple party appetizer but it also makes an easy dinner recipe when served with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. We also like to serve these meatballs with a side of baguette slices to sop up every last drop of Alfredo sauce. Add a fresh green salad to round out the meal (you can find pre-made bagged salads in the produce aisle).
Look for high-quality frozen meatballs for this recipe—there aren't many ingredients so you want them to shine. Check the label and make sure there aren't a lot of filler ingredients like cellulose or breadcrumbs. Any protein will work for this recipe, whether you prefer beef, pork, or even a meatless option.
When choosing a wine for this recipe, look for a dry white wine with some acidity. We recommend using either Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. Of the three wines, Pinot Grigio is most neutral while Chardonnay will add a subtle oak flavor. You should be able to find inexpensive bottles of these white wines for under $10. The wine in this recipe helps cut the richness of the bottled sauce and adds a little acidity to the finished dish.
Ingredients
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2 12 ounce package frozen small Italian or Swedish-style meatballs
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1 15 ounce jar classic Alfredo sauce
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2 - 3 tablespoon white wine
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⅓ cup chopped green onion
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Snipped basil (optional)
Directions
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Prepare the frozen meatballs according to package directions.
Test Kitchen Tip: When shopping for packaged frozen meatballs, the Italian version is commonly seasoned with Parmesan cheese and herbs like basil, parsley, and thyme. Swedish meatballs have a milder flavor and may be seasoned with onion, garlic, and spices like nutmeg. Both work great in this recipe.
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Meanwhile, in a large saucepan heat together the jarred Alfredo sauce, white wine, and sliced green onion. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the sauce.
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Add the meatballs and toss together to completely combine.
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Place the meatball mixture in serving dish and sprinkle with freshly snipped basil, if desired.
Test Kitchen Tip: If you're not a fan of fresh basil, try substituting chopped fresh parsley or more sliced green onions.
Test Kitchen Tip: We like the convenience of using jarred sauce but it's easy to make homemade alfredo sauce. You'll need butter, garlic, whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. That's it! Our alfredo sauce recipe walks you through exactly how to make it. You can have the topping ready in under 10 minutes.
