What Salad Goes With Meatballs? 10 Best Salads

If you’ve been wondering what salad goes with meatballs, then you are in the right place.

I’ve rounded up 10 of the best salads to serve with meatballs.

Whether you are looking for a simple green salad, a hearty pasta salad, or something in between, there is sure to be a recipe on this list that you’ll love.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these salads a try the next time you make meatballs!

See Also: What Sauce Goes with Chicken Meatballs? (12 Best Sauces)

What Salad Goes With Meatballs? 10 Best Salads

Sure, meatballs are delicious on their own.

But when you’re looking to turn them into a complete meal, you’re going to need a good salad to go along with them.

After all, what’s a meatball dinner without a big, hearty salad?

Fortunately, there are a number of great salads that pair well with meatballs.

Here are 10 of the best salads for meatballs:

1. Salad Caprese

If you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen but still want a dish that looks impressive, then this salad is for you.

It only has a few ingredients – tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and olive oil – but it’s so flavorful and refreshing.

I love to make this salad in the summer when tomatoes are in season.

Pro Tip: To take this salad to the next level, add some balsamic vinegar or use fresh mozzarella balls.

Potential Substitutions:

• If you can’t find fresh mozzarella, you can use shredded mozzarella
• Swap out the basil for another herb, like oregano or thyme

2. Nicoise Salad

My family loves when I serve this salad.

Why?

It’s healthy, it’s filling, it has protein and vegetables, and it’s delicious.

This salad is traditionally made with tuna, green beans, potatoes, eggs, olives and a vinaigrette.

I like to add in some cherry tomatoes and shredded cheese for extra flavor.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can swap out the potatoes for roasted cauliflower.

Potential Substitutions:

• Use any type of protein that you like (chicken, tofu, shrimp)
• Use any type of green vegetable that you like (spinach, kale, arugula)
• Swap out the vinaigrette for a creamy dressing

3. Cobb Salad

There are many reasons to try out this Cobb Salad recipe.

For starters, it’s a great way to use up any leftover cooked chicken.

And, if you’re looking for a hearty salad that will fill you up, this is it.

The combination of protein, vegetables and eggs make it a well-rounded meal.

Plus, the avocado dressing is insanely delicious.

Pro Tip: To save time, you can use pre-cooked chicken and hard boiled eggs.

Potential Substitutions:

• Use any type of greens that you like
• Substitute the avocado dressing for your favorite salad dressing

4. Caeser Salad

I know this salad looks complicated (and maybe a little bit fancy), but I promise it’s not!

This is one of my go-to salads because it’s so easy to make and always impresses.

The key to a great Caesar salad is in the dressing.

You can use a store-bought dressing, but I find that they’re usually too salty.

My secret to the perfect dressing is using mayonnaise as the base.

From there, you can add in garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese to taste.

Once you have your dressing sorted out, all you need is some chopped Romaine lettuce and croutons.

If you want to get really fancy, you can grilled chicken or shrimp to top it off.

Pro tip: The best way to get crispy croutons is by using day-old bread that’s been cut into cubes and tossed with olive oil and garlic. Then bake them in a 400 degree oven until golden brown.

5. Waldorf Salad

You HAVE to try this salad with your meatballs!

Waldorf salad is a mayo-based salad that has a ton of different textures and flavors going on.

It has everything from grapes and apples, to celery and nuts.

The sweetness from the grapes and apples really balances out the savory flavors from the meatballs, making it an all-around great dish.

And my pro tip?

Use rotini pasta instead of spaghetti for your meatballs. It holds up better in the sauce and doesn’t get as mushy.

6. Thai Chicken Larb Salad

How about something Thai-inspired alongside your meatball dish?

This Thai chicken larb salad is perfect for that!

I love this salad because it’s so light and refreshing, but still has a lot of great flavor.

The chicken is cooked with a few simple seasonings, then tossed with fresh herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce.

It’s the perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy – and so easy to make!

Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover cooked chicken you might have on hand.

Pro tip: If you can’t find Thai chili peppers, you can substitute regular red pepper flakes. Just start with a little bit and add more to taste.

7. Tabbouleh Salad

Why not try serving this salad with your meal instead of the traditional lettuce-based salad?

Tabbouleh is a Levantine dish, usually made with bulgur, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and onion.

It’s common in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan but has become popular all over the world.

I love it because it’s so flavorful and filling.

The bulgur wheat absorbs all the delicious flavors from the other ingredients making each bite super tasty.

Plus, it’s really healthy too!

Here’s a pro tip: if you’re short on time, you can use pre-seasoned or flavored couscous instead of bulgur wheat. Just make sure to follow the package instructions for cooking times.

8. Russian Olivier Salad

This salad goes well with meatballs, roast beef, or even grilled chicken.

I love this salad because it is a great way to get my vegetables in and it is so filling.

This salad has potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and pickles in it.

You can really taste all of the different flavors in every bite.

The dressing for this salad is usually a mayonnaise or Miracle Whip base with some vinegar and mustard mixed in.

This dressing really ties all of the flavors together.

I always make sure to get a good amount of dressing on my fork with each bite so that I can enjoy all of the flavors together.

A pro tip for eating this salad is to mix everything together before you start eating. I have found that if you eat it without mixing, the flavors can be a bit off-putting since everything is so distinct.

9. Greek Salad

Tasty, colorful, and of course, healthy, Greek salad is one of my all-time favorite salads.

I love the combination of crisp veggies, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty dressing – it’s just so darn delicious!

And did I mention that it’s healthy?

A Greek salad is a great way to get in those all-important veggies and feta packs a nutritional punch too.

So not only does it taste good, but it’s good for you too – win-win!

Now, onto that pro tip... To really bring out the flavor of the feta cheese, make sure to crumble it by hand rather than using pre-crumbled cheese.

It makes a world of difference!

10. Asian Slaw

Asian flavors speak to me in a way that no other cuisine can.

I love the bold and unique flavors that are found in Asian dishes, and this slaw is no exception.

This salad is packed full of fresh veggies like cabbage, carrots, and red pepper, and is tossed in a light dressing made with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a touch of honey.

The result is a sweet and tangy salad that is the perfect accompaniment to any Asian-inspired meal.

One pro tip: if you want to take this salad over the top, top it with some crispy wonton strips or grilled chicken for a little extra protein.