Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic in Italian American cuisine, but not likely found anywhere in Italy. Here's a look at some of the various ways both Italians and Italian Americans have found to use meatballs that don't involve spaghetti.
Meatball Parmigiana Hero
(Photo Credit: Bayside Milk Farm)
Italian Americans invented veal parmigiana in the 1920s, and the dish was widespread by the 1930s. It wasn't long after that other meats were getting “parm'ed”. Chicken parmigiana was a common alternative. Shrimp parmigiana was invented for Fridays when the Catholic church banned the consumption of meat. Meatball parmigiana was likely created as a way to use up leftover meatballs. Usually served as an Italian hero sandwich, sliced meatballs are topped with mozzarella or provolone cheese, and then heated to melt the cheese and toast the bread. The sandwiches are commonly available at pizzerias and Italian delis.
Meatball Pizza
(Photo Credit: Weird Wild Pizza)
Pizza topped with slices of meatballs was once common in New York City pizzerias. Alas, the trend is less popular today. In a 2021 survey, meatballs didn't even rank, with pepperoni and sausage leading respondents' answers. However, meatballs are often included in the topping alongside sausage and pepperoni on "meat lovers" pizza. In Chicago, Gino's East, famous for deep dish style pizza, also has the option for meatballs.
Meatball Pizza Bowl
(Photo Credit: Olive Garden)
Back in 2018, the Olive Garden chain, best known for their unlimited breadsticks, launched a Frankenstein-like Meatball Pizza Bowl. The menu item featured a bowl shaped from pizza dough filled with meatballs, cheese, and tomato sauce.
Meatball Soup
(Photo Credit: Allrecipes)
Italian Wedding soup isn't named for holy matrimony, but for the marriage of leafy green vegetables and hearty meatballs. It is a common dish served around Easter or Christmas. The soup features tiny meatballs, vegetables, and small pasta. In the United States, companies like Progresso sell wedding soup under names like Chickarina, named for the tiny chicken meatballs.
Meatball Lasagna
(Photo Credit: Twisted via Youtube)
Neapolitans make a lasagna for Carnevale filled with the foods prohibited during Lent. Tiny meatballs are included between layers of lasagna noodles along with salami and ricotta cheese.
Timpano
Timpano drizzled with a little pesto sauce from Misto Restaurant in the Bronx, NY (Photo credit: AJ Forrisi)
This baked pasta dish made famous by Stanley Tucci's film Big Night, Timpano includes layers of pasta, sauce, meats, and other delicious ingredients. One version of the dish from Abruzzo known as timballo di scrippelle, includes meatballs.
Ian MacAllen
Ian MacAllen is America Domani's Senior Correspondent and the author of Red Sauce: How Italian Food Became American. He is a writer, editor, and graphic designer living in Brooklyn. Connect with him at IanMacAllen.com or on Twitter @IanMacAllen.