17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (2024)

FAQs

How to doctor up frozen meatballs? ›

Mashed potatoes are a classic pairing for meatballs, like these Grape Jelly Meatballs. Photo by Jennifer Stevens. For a change from the usual plain rice or noodles, give this rice pilaf a try on the side of some Lamb Meatballs and Sauce.

In fact, cooking them from frozen can help to lock in the moisture and flavor. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as it may take slightly longer compared to cooking thawed meatballs.

Of course, you can. Most frozen meatballs you buy in the store are already cooked. But even if you made your own and froze them without cooking them, they can still be gently cooked in a pot of sauce. However, they may fall apart, so cooking them in one layer is preferred, and the texture might be a bit soft.

In a lightly greased baking dish, make an even layer of frozen meatballs. Pour your sauce over the meatballs, so they are completely covered. Cover with aluminum foil or oven safe lid because it will lock in the moisture and heat. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until heated through.

Although meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and served with pasta is likely what most Americans first imagine when they think of them, this meatball preparation is virtually nonexistent in Italy. In most regions, meatballs are just fried and eaten as is—enjoyed as a snack or served as a second course without any sauce.

However, combinations of pasta with meat date back at least to the Middle Ages, and pasta (including long pasta) dishes with tomato sauce and different types of meatballs are documented in certain Italian regions and in modern Italian cookbooks as maccheroni alle polpette (translated as 'spaghetti with meatballs') and ...

While you can technically use a microwave to cook frozen meatballs, it is not the recommended method. Microwaving can cause the meatballs to become rubbery and unevenly cooked. It is best to use the oven or stovetop for more desirable results.

Why do you chill meatballs before baking? ›

Chill your meatballs: refrigerating your meatballs an hour before cooking helps them hold their shape throughout the cooking process. They can chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking, making meatballs a great make-ahead dish, too.

The first part of cooking will be done in frying oil but to finish the meatballs the right way, you will need to cook them in a sauce.

If you simply don't have the time to allow meatballs to defrost in the refrigerator, cold water is an expedient alternative. Get a bowl large enough to hold a freezer bag containing the frozen meat balls and fill it with cold water. Place the bag into the water and let it sit for about a half hour.

Ladle sauce over meatballs in jars leaving 1 inch headspace. Warm lids and rings in hot water. Clean the rims of the jars, and screw on the lids. Pressure can for 90 minutes at 10 pounds if canning 1,000 feet beneath sea level.

Stovetop Simmer

Place the meatballs in the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook the meatballs, turning them occasionally, until they are browned on all sides. Reduce the heat to low and add your desired sauce. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

Yes, you can cook frozen raw meatballs without thawing them first. In fact, cooking them from frozen can actually help to retain their juiciness and prevent them from drying out.