Quick Grilled Meatball Skewers with Spicy Tomato Glaze
Juicy beef and pork meatballs grilled on skewers and brushed with a tangy, spicy tomato glaze for fast, crowd-pleasing bites. This italian-inspired summer cookout ready in about 27 minutes pairs ounces ground beef, ounces ground pork, bread crumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 8 ounces ground pork
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp honey
- 6 skewers wooden skewers, soaked
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces ground beef, 8 ounces ground pork, 1/3 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 24 small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and thread 4 meatballs onto each of 6 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium heat (350°F). Brush the meatball skewers with 2 tbsp olive oil and grill for 8-10 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and nicely browned.
- Step 4: While grilling, combine 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 1 tbsp honey in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Brush the spicy tomato glaze onto the meatball skewers during the last 2 minutes of grilling, turning to coat all sides before removing from the grill.
- Step 6: Serve warm with extra glaze on the side for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Grilled Meatball Skewers with Spicy Tomato Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Quick Grilled Meatball Skewers with Spicy Tomato Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ounces ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Grilled Meatball Skewers with Spicy Tomato Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Quick Grilled Meatball Skewers with Spicy Tomato Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Quick Grilled Meatball Skewers with Spicy Tomato Glaze?
Italian summer cookout like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
