Meatballs are probably a gift from the heavens—there are early recipes for meatballs are found in ancient Chinese, Arabic and Roman texts—and every culture seems to have their own version! Beef, pork, and veal are most popular, but they can be made with chicken, fish or even vegan. Let’s all rejoice on March 9 in honor of National Meatball Day.
National Meatball Day timeline
A record of the earliest recipe for meatballs comes from China.
In “Apicius,” a collection of Roman recipes, the meatball features several times.
Italian immigrants introduce spaghetti and meatballs to Americans.
The meatball sandwich, an Italian-American fusion, is created.
National Meatball Day Activities
Identify the 'meatball king (or queen)' in your city
Restaurants across the country are celebrating with special offers on meatballs on March 9. Pull a few friends together and go try them out! Let us know who reigns supreme in your city.
Throw a mead and meatball party
Wine and cheese is soooooo boring. Meat. Meatballs. Done. You'll easily be the coolest kid on your block for the week or so.
Learn nonna's recipe for meatballs
Food from grandma's house just tastes better—isn't it time you figured out her secret? Is there a special herb, a shortcut, a special way of cooking? Spend some time with Grandma today, and you'll have more than a delicious dinner to show for it.
Why We Love National Meatball Day
Every culture has its own meatball tradition
Every area of the world has its own traditions and history surrounding meatballs—frikadellers, kofteh, polpette, albondigas! Whatever the name — meat, spices and a lot of love come together to create savory balls of goodness.
Meatballs play with sauce, all sorts of sauce
Meatballs play well with so many other types of food—why limit yourself to spaghetti and meatballs with a tomato sauce (as delicious as that is)? A creamy curry sauce transforms vegetarian kofta; an herby, tangy chimichurri would take rabbit albondigas to the next level.
Even picky eaters can find something to love
There's something about their playful (and flavorful) nature that makes meatballs a perennial favorite for kids and adults alike. You may not know what you want to eat...chances are, though, that once you see a few succulent, meaty orbs sitting in front of you, you're going to dive right in!
National Meatball Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 9 | Sunday |
| 2026 | March 9 | Monday |
| 2027 | March 9 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | March 9 | Thursday |
| 2029 | March 9 | Friday |
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