March 9th is National Meatball Day, a time to savor and celebrate one of the most versatile and beloved foods. From spaghetti dinners to hearty subs or even Swedish-inspired hors d’oeuvres, meatballs transcend borders and culinary traditions. Made with beef, pork, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives, these bite-sized wonders have secured their place in kitchens and on menus worldwide.
The Background of National Meatball Day
While the exact origins of National Meatball Day remain a mystery, meatballs themselves have a long and delicious history. Some of the earliest records of meatball-like dishes date back to Ancient Persia, where a dish called kofta featured minced meat mixed with spices. From there, the concept spread to regions like the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia, evolving into the diverse recipes we enjoy today.
In the United States, meatballs gained prominence through Italian-American cuisine, particularly as part of the iconic spaghetti and meatballs dish. Though meatballs have deep cultural roots in many cuisines, National Meatball Day is less about history and more about enjoying this comforting food in all its forms.
When Is National Meatball Day Celebrated?
National Meatball Day is observed annually on March 9th. If you’re planning to mark your calendar, here’s when you can celebrate over the next several years:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | March 9, Sunday |
| 2026 | March 9, Monday |
| 2027 | March 9, Tuesday |
| 2028 | March 9, Wednesday |
| 2029 | March 9, Friday |
| 2030 | March 9, Saturday |
Ways to Celebrate National Meatball Day
National Meatball Day is the perfect excuse to experiment in the kitchen, explore local restaurants, or simply indulge in your favorite meatball dishes. Here are some fun and tasty ways to join the celebration:
- Cook Your Favorites: Try making a batch of homemade meatballs. Experiment with different flavors, such as Italian-style with marinara, Swedish meatballs with creamy gravy, or spicy Asian-inspired options.
- Host a Meatball Party: Invite friends or family over for a meatball-tasting event. Ask everyone to bring their favorite recipe and share the fun of sampling different styles.
- Support Local Restaurants: Many eateries offer specials on meatballs or meatball dishes for the day. Check out your local spots and enjoy a discounted meatball sub or a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.
- Share on Social Media: Use the hashtag #NationalMeatballDay to show off your creations or highlight your favorite spots. Join the online meatball appreciation community!
Meaty Facts About Meatballs
Meatballs may seem simple, but their history and global appeal are fascinating. From unique traditions to record-breaking feats, these facts highlight why meatballs remain so popular:
- Meatballs are enjoyed in almost every culture, with each putting its own spin on the recipe. Italian polpette, Turkish köfte, and Swedish köttbullar are just a few examples of their global appeal.
- Spaghetti and meatballs, now a beloved American dish, doesn’t actually come from Italy. It was created by Italian immigrants in the U.S. as they adapted traditional recipes to the ingredients available.
- IKEA’s Swedish meatballs have become a global sensation, beloved by shoppers and foodies alike. The company sells over 1 billion of them each year across its stores worldwide.
- The world’s largest meatball set a record in South Carolina in 2017. It weighed a staggering 1,100 pounds, earning its place in culinary history.
- Meatballs don’t always have to include meat—they can be made with plenty of creative alternatives. Fish balls, veggie balls, and even sweet dessert balls feature in various cuisines around the world.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
