Single Serve Meatballs

Single-serve meatballs are a fantastic option for someone who lives alone or prefers to avoid leftovers. This recipe is designed to make just enough for one person, which means you get a perfectly portioned meal without having to worry about excess food sitting in the fridge for days.
The beauty of single-serve meatballs is that they’re quick, easy to prepare, and highly customizable. Whether you prefer classic beef meatballs, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives, you can adjust the recipe to your tastes. They’re small, bite-sized, and often come together in just a few ingredients, making them ideal for a solo cook who wants something delicious but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen or deal with leftovers. If you’re looking for this recipe for a larger yield, try my Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs recipe next.
Why You’ll Love This Single Serve Meatball Recipe
- No Waste: Since the recipe makes just one serving, there’s no worry about having too much leftover to store or reheat. You get exactly what you need.
- Quick & Easy: Single-serve meatballs cook fast, usually in 20-30 minutes, and require minimal prep time. Perfect for a quick dinner after a busy day.
- Fresh & Flavorful: With single servings, you can enjoy the dish while it’s fresh, without needing to worry about reheating or losing flavor over time.
- Customizable: You can change up the seasoning, type of meat, or add-ins to match your current cravings, without having to adjust a large batch recipe.
This makes it an ideal solution for those who don’t want to eat the same meal multiple days in a row or deal with the hassle of storing leftovers!
Single Serve Meatballs
Ingredients
- 4 oz ground beef 85% lean and above
- ½ egg
- ⅛ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ yellow onion grated
- 2 garlic cloves grated
- ½ tbsp salt
- ¼ tbsp pepper
- 1 tbsp oregano
- ½ tbsp smoked paprika
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Tomato Sauce
- 4 Roma tomatoes scored
- ¼ yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp Nature's Seasoning
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 4 Basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- To a bowl, combine beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Form into 5-6 meatballs and set aside.
- To a skillet on medium-high heat, add in oil and sear meatballs on all sides. Remove from the pan once seared.
- Heat tomato sauce in the skillet and set the heat to low. Add back the meatballs and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Serve over pasta of your choice.
Tomato Sauce
- To a saucepan on medium high heat, saute onion and garlic in oil until fragrant. Add in tomatoes, lower heat to medium-low, and cover. Allow to cook for 5-7 minutes. Tomatoes will be soft when you remove the lid.
- Press down on tomatoes until they are mush and add salt to release any additional moisture. Stir well.
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until desired tomato sauce consistency. Pour sauce back into skillet to finish cooking meatballs.