National Meatball Day is on Tuesday, March 9, 2027, and it falls on March 9 every year. It celebrates meatballs in every form, from Italian-American spaghetti and meatballs to Swedish köttbullar and Vietnamese pork meatballs. Almost every cuisine has its own version, so it’s an easy day to try a new one.
When Is National Meatball Day?
It’s always March 9. It’s an unofficial food day, not a federal holiday.
Who Started National Meatball Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Is spaghetti and meatballs Italian?
It’s Italian-American. In Italy, polpette are often no bigger than golf balls and are usually eaten on their own or in soup, Smithsonian Magazine explains.
About 4 million Italians moved to the U.S. between 1880 and 1920. Here, they spent a smaller share of their income on food, so meat became a regular part of meals. Meatballs grew bigger and landed on plates of spaghetti with tomato sauce.
Are Swedish meatballs really from Turkey?
Probably not. In 2018, Sweden’s official account posted that King Charles XII brought the recipe home from exile in the early 1700s.
Historian Richard Tellström of Stockholm University told The Local there’s “no source” for that story. He points to Swedish mentions of frikadeller around 1650, decades before the king’s exile.
Why Celebrate Meatballs?
They’re one of the world’s most shared comfort foods, and they’re easy to cook in big batches for a family or a party. The day is a chance to try a version from a different kitchen.
Cook them safely. FoodSafety.gov says ground beef, pork, veal and lamb should reach 160°F, and ground chicken and turkey 165°F. Check the center of the biggest meatball with a thermometer, since color isn’t reliable.
How to Celebrate National Meatball Day
- Bake instead of fry: roll meatballs with a small scoop so they’re the same size, then bake at 400°F.
- Add a panade: soak bread in milk before mixing it in; it keeps meatballs tender.
- Make Swedish meatballs: serve them with cream gravy, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.
- Try Vietnamese bún chả: grill pork patties and serve them with noodles, herbs and a sweet-sour sauce.
- Build meatball subs: pile them on toasted rolls with marinara and melted provolone.
- Try Italian-style polpette: make small meatballs and serve them on their own, as in Italy.
- Go plant-based: mix cooked lentils, chopped mushrooms and breadcrumbs for a meatless version.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does “köttbullar” first appear in Swedish?
The earliest Swedish source for the word dates to 1755, historian Richard Tellström says, still with no link to King Charles XII.
Can you freeze meatballs?
Yes. Freeze cooked meatballs in a single layer on a tray, then bag them. Reheat them in sauce straight from frozen until hot all the way through.
Why do my meatballs fall apart?
The mix may be too wet or too lean. Add more breadcrumbs or an egg, and chill the shaped meatballs for 20 minutes before cooking.