The Classic: Meatballs and Spaghetti

• If you've seen "Lady and the Tramp," you probably remember the romantic scene when the two dogs share a large plate of spaghetti and meatballs. It's a classic entree that pleases sophisticated and picky palates alike. The meatballs can be made with ground beef, ground pork or a combination of the two. The meat is usually mixed with bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. Braise the meatballs in marinara sauce and serve with spaghetti and additional marinara.

Italian Wedding Soup

• Another way to enjoy meatballs, Italian wedding soup is a dish hearty enough to serve as an entree alongside a slice of bread to mop up the broth. You can make the meatballs with ground beef or pork, or use Italian sausage in place of the ground beef or meat. The meatballs are simmered in a chicken broth and served in a soup with vegetables like onion, greens and carrots. You can also add rice or a pasta to make for an even more filling meatball Italian wedding soup.

Asian Meatballs

• In Korea -- and in other parts of Asia -- meatballs often take on the flavors of this region and are served as an entree with fried rice and stir-fried vegetables. Start by including Asian flavorings in the meatballs, like ginger, scallions and sesame oil. After cooking, coat the meat in an Asian sauce of your choice, using ingredients like teriyaki, sesame oil or hoisin, fish, soy or hot sauce. Serve atop white or fried rice with stir-fried, sauced vegetables.

Swedish Meatballs

• In Sweden, meatballs use different flavors and are often served as an entree over a generous amount of mashed potatoes. You can use the same basic meatball recipe, but add spices like nutmeg or allspice to the mix. Serve the meatballs over mashed potatoes with gravy and lingonberry preserves for a truly classic and hearty Swedish dish.

The Meatball Pizza

• Most pizza-lovers know that a thin, delicious crust complements any savory topping, which applies to covering pizza dough with marinara, meatballs and cheese. Use any meatball recipe you like, pre-cook the meatballs and slice them in half. Place another layer of dough over the meatballs and sauced dough, cover it with cheese and bake. Caution: You might need to use a fork and knife to eat this pizza.