Sixteen meatballs leave everything they’ve got on the court, but only one will emerge victorious!

Every March, college basketball fans revel in the cutthroat excitement that is the March Madness tournament.

Sixty-eight teams enter, and, through a series of high-intensity single-elimination games, one team emerges victorious.

Meatball Madness bracket

Simply Recipes / Sabrina Tan

But were not here to talk about basketball.

Were here to talk about something else thats equally thrilling (and round): meatballs.

To celebrate all things meatballs and have some fun with sports brackets, Simply Recipes brings youMeatball Madness.

Appetizer meatballs

Simply Recipes / Sabrina Tan

I do, however, have thoughts and feelings about meatballs.

Some make a crowd-pleasing appetizer (for a March Madness game, perhaps?)

while others are satisfying main dish fare.

Main dish meatballs

Simply Recipes / Sabrina Tan

Weve grouped our brackets into four fun meatball categories: Appetizer, Main, Saucy, and Soupy.

With dipping sauces and glazes, theyre fun to eat and sure to be a slam dunk.

Whether served as a sandwich or atop pasta, theyre the star players.

Saucy meatballs

Simply Recipes / Sabrina Tan

Pair them with a side or two and serve for lunch or dinner to a cheering crowd.

Saucy Meatballs

These meatballs leave everything on the court.

Bathed in a delicious sauce, theyre best served with toasty bread, pasta, or rice.

soupy meatballs

Simply Recipes / Sabrina Tan

Serve these soupy mains on a cold night and congratulate yourself on a winning dinner.