Meatballs are pretty much exactly what they sound like; balls of ground meat and spices which are pressed together to form balls. Many cultures have their own versions of the meatball, from Southeast Asian kofta to Swedish meatballs. Depending on cultural and personal taste, meatballs may be served as a standalone food, often with a sauce, or they may be included in part of a larger dish, as is the case with classic Italian spaghetti and meatballs.

Many regional markets sell meatballs, either in their frozen or butcher sections. It is also possible to purchase meatballs at many restaurants and deli counters, and many people enjoy making them at home. By making meatballs at home, people can control the quality of the ingredients, the flavor, and the level of spicing to create a unique dish.

A common choice of meat for meatballs is beef, although lamb, turkey, chicken, and pork can be used as well. The meat is ground with a fine grinder, and mixed with an assortment of herbs and spices which vary, depending on the region; it is possible to find thyme, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, basil, rosemary, parsley, sage, allspice, ginger, and a wide assortment of other ingredients in meatballs, and some people also mix them with liquids like Worcestershire, chili, and soy sauces.

It is not uncommon to blend other ingredients into meatballs to make them less heavy. Precooked vegetables can be used, as can breadcrumbs, and some cooks mix their meatballs with egg as a binder, ensuring that they do not fall apart. Vegetarians make their own versions of meatballs with texture vegetable protein, soy products, or seitan; some vegetarian meatballs are actually rather difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Once formed, either by hand or with a meatball maker, meatballs can be frozen for future use or cooked. Because ground meats can pick up pathogens very easily, it is important to ensure that meatballs are cooked thoroughly, whether they are stewed in a sauce or grilled and served folded in a piece of flatbread with a spicy condiment.

Many cookbooks have meatball recipes with spicing ideas for cooks who want some guidance. Since many regional culinary traditions also include meatballs, it is possible to find ethnic meatball recipes such as a recipe for Greek lamb kefta or Italian beef meatballs. If you can't find a recipe you like, feel free to make adjustments; meatballs are a very forgiving food.