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Meatball salad is what's left when you take the bread and pasta out of a big Italian dinner — and it turns out that's the best part. Warm herb-baked meatballs tumble over romaine with diced tomatoes, black olives, basil, and a balsamic drizzle. All the flavor of spaghetti night in a bowl of greens.
Pro Tips
- Mix the ground meat, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper by hand just until combined; overmixing makes dense meatballs.
- Portion with a heaping tablespoon for uniform 1½-inch meatballs — they bake through evenly in the 15-minute oven time.
- Bake, don't fry: 350°F for 15 minutes in a lipped pan or baking dish keeps them tender while the salad stays light.
- Slice the basil leaves into thin ribbons and scatter them with the balsamic at the last minute so nothing wilts.
- Drain the diced tomatoes well and rinse the sliced olives, or the salad goes watery at the bottom of the bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ground meat works best for meatball salad?
Any ground red meat — beef, lamb, bison. The egg binds it and the oregano does the Italian heavy lifting, so use what you have.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes — bake them up to a day ahead, refrigerate, and rewarm before tossing with the romaine, tomatoes, olives, and basil.
Why balsamic vinegar instead of a dressing?
Three tablespoons of balsamic sprinkled over the top is all this needs — it picks up the meatball juices and keeps the salad paleo without a bottled dressing.
How many servings does meatball salad make?
Four, served as a main-dish salad with the meatballs warm on top of the tossed greens.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
Method
- 1.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- 2.
- Combine beef, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl; mix by hand until thoroughly combined.
- 3.
- Form mixture into 1½-inch meatballs (a heaping tablespoon) and place in 9-by-13-inch baking dish or baking sheet with a lip.
- 4.
- Bake in 350-degree oven for 15 minutes, until cooked through.
- 5.
- Toss meatballs with remaining ingredients of the salad, sprinkling the vinegar on top.
