Spicy Meatballs: The Best 9 Bold Recipes & Cooking Tips

Q: Where does the saying "that's a spicy meatball" come from?

The phrase “That’s a spicy meatball!” became popular from a 1969 Alka-Seltzer TV commercial. The ad featured an Italian man struggling through multiple takes of a commercial spot, reacting with exaggerated gusto after biting into an overly spicy meatball. The phrase took off and became a pop-culture catchphrase often used humorously to describe something unexpectedly hot or intense—food or otherwise.

Q: What goes well with spicy meatballs?

Spicy meatballs pair well with a wide variety of sides and sauces that balance or complement the heat. Some popular options include: Pasta with creamy or tomato-based sauces Rice bowls with cooling vegetables and yogurt or tahini Crusty bread or flatbreads to soak up spicy sauces Roasted or steamed veggies , like zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers Salads with vinaigrettes , to cut through the richness

Q: How to jazz up meatballs?

There are dozens of ways to jazz up your spicy meatballs beyond simply adding heat: Stuff them with mozzarella, feta, or jalapeños for a fun surprise. Switch up the sauce —try chipotle-tomato, garlic yogurt, coconut curry, or sticky sweet chili. Toss them into tacos, grain bowls, or sliders for fresh new presentations. Use spice blends from around the world like ras el hanout, garam masala, or Cajun seasoning. Get creative and mix global flavors with local ingredients. The possibilities are endless.

Question 1

How to spice up your meatballs?

Accepted Answer

To make your meatballs spicy, start by adding ingredients like crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or spicy chili paste (like gochujang or harissa) directly into the meat mixture. For even more heat, try stuffing the meatballs with spicy cheese or finishing them with a fiery glaze or hot sauce. Remember, spice builds as it cooks—so taste-test before forming the whole batch.

Question 2

Where does the saying "that's a spicy meatball" come from?

Accepted Answer

The phrase “That’s a spicy meatball!” became popular from a 1969 Alka-Seltzer TV commercial. The ad featured an Italian man struggling through multiple takes of a commercial spot, reacting with exaggerated gusto after biting into an overly spicy meatball. The phrase took off and became a pop-culture catchphrase often used humorously to describe something unexpectedly hot or intense—food or otherwise.

Question 3

What goes well with spicy meatballs?

Accepted Answer

Spicy meatballs pair well with a wide variety of sides and sauces that balance or complement the heat. Some popular options include:
Pasta with creamy or tomato-based sauces
Rice bowls with cooling vegetables and yogurt or tahini
Crusty bread or flatbreads to soak up spicy sauces
Roasted or steamed veggies, like zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers
Salads with vinaigrettes, to cut through the richness

Question 4

How to jazz up meatballs?

Accepted Answer

There are dozens of ways to jazz up your spicy meatballs beyond simply adding heat:
Stuff them with mozzarella, feta, or jalapeños for a fun surprise.
Switch up the sauce—try chipotle-tomato, garlic yogurt, coconut curry, or sticky sweet chili.
Toss them into tacos, grain bowls, or sliders for fresh new presentations.
Use spice blends from around the world like ras el hanout, garam masala, or Cajun seasoning.
Get creative and mix global flavors with local ingredients. The possibilities are endless.

Spicy Meatballs

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition