If humanity’s gotten you down lately, just keep in mind that our species can’t be that bad… we did invent the meatball after all. This ingenious invention stretches an expensive ingredient by mixing it with pantry staples into a dish that can feed many more people than on its own, while being truly delicious in its own right. Think about it: when meatballs are what’s for dinner, or you see meatballs on the menu at a restaurant, don’t you automatically think, ooh meatballs? It’s practically a reflex by this point of human evolution, someone really ought to study this. Recipes mentioned: Everyday Meatballs ( Smitten Kitchen ) Perfect Meatballs & Spaghetti ( Smitten Kitchen ) Tender and Juicy Slow-Cooker Meatballs Recipe ( Serious Eats ) “I wanted meatballs so I made meatballs” ( Kenji’s Instagram )