How Many Meatballs Do I Need?

Quick answer: Plan on 5 meatballs per person. For 20 guests you need 100 meatballs, and for 50 guests you need 250 meatballs. Use our free calculator below for exact amounts.

Versatile appetizer or main dish. Plan for 5-6 meatballs per person as an appetizer.

100 meatballs

for 20 people

Estimated cost: $50 - $100

How Many Meatballs for Your Party?

5 people 8 people 10 people 15 people 20 people 25 people 30 people 40 people 50 people 75 people 100 people

About Our Meatball Calculator

Planning to serve meatballs at your next party? Our free calculator takes the guesswork out of party planning. Simply enter the number of guests and we'll tell you exactly how many meatballs you need.

How We Calculate Meatball Quantities

Our calculations are based on industry-standard serving sizes used by professional caterers:

  • Average servings per person: 5 meatballs
  • Servings per meatball: 1
  • Price range: $0.5 - $1 per meatball

Tips for Ordering Meatballs

  • Keep warm in slow cooker with sauce
  • Offer toothpicks for easy self-serve
  • Swedish, Italian, and BBQ are popular varieties
  • Can be made ahead and frozen
  • Serve with crusty bread to soak up sauce

Frequently Asked Questions About Meatball

How many meatballs per person?

As an appetizer, plan for 4-6 meatballs per person. As a main dish over pasta or in subs, plan for 6-8 meatballs per person.

What size meatballs are best for parties?

For appetizers, 1-inch meatballs (about 1 oz each) are perfect for toothpicks. For main dishes, 1.5-2 inch meatballs work better. Consistency is key—use a cookie scoop.

Can I make meatballs ahead?

Absolutely! Form meatballs and freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to bags. Cook from frozen or thaw overnight. Fully cooked meatballs can be refrigerated 3-4 days.