17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (2024)

Published: by Kelsey Smith

Bookmark these easy recipes with frozen meatballs to save on cooking time for your next family favorite meal on a busy weeknight.

Cooking with frozen meatballs is very convenient and can be time-saving compared to homemade meatballs. You can find homestyle meatballs, Italian meatballs, chicken meatballs, turkey meatballs, and more at the grocery store in the freezer section.

Since they are frozen, they are a convenient option for quick meals or last-minute preparations. They eliminate the need for extensive prep work and can be easily stored in the freezer until needed.

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17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (1)

Frozen meatballs are the perfect party food because frozen meatball recipes are easy to throw together, and you can keep co*cktail meatballs warm in the Instant Pot or crockpot. For a large crowd, you can find store-bought meatballs in bulk size packaging at Sam's or Costco.

Frozen meatballs are generally pre-cooked, so they require less cooking time compared to making meatballs from scratch. This is particularly helpful when you're short on time or looking for a quick and easy meal solution.

Food safety note: Not all frozen meatballs are pre-cooked, so be sure to read the product packaging. Additionally, even though some frozen meatballs are pre-cooked, it's still recommended to heat them to a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).

Frozen meatballs can be used in various dishes and cuisines. Whether you want to make spaghetti and meatballs, meatball subs, meatball stir-fry, or even appetizers like Swedish meatballs, having a bag of frozen meatballs allows you to explore different recipes without the hassle of making them from scratch.

To make your own meatballs, try my buffalo turkey meatballs. There are many different ways to serve meatballs. Explore these delicious side dishes to serve with meatballs.

Jump to:
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Air Fryer
  • Stovetop
  • Storage
  • 💬 Comments

Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. The best part is it can cook one pot meals fast. For many recipes, the cook time will only be 5 minutes or so, but it will take several minutes to come to pressure.

You can also take advantage of the Keep Warm function to keep your meatballs nice and warm during a party or game day.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (2)

Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs

This easy Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs recipe calls for concord grape jelly, Heinz chili sauce, water, and frozen meatballs for an easy pressure cooker recipe.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (3)

Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs

These Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs are easy and fast to make with only three ingredients: frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and honey.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (4)

Instant Pot Italian Meatballs

This easy Instant Pot frozen meatballs recipe cooks frozen meatballs in pasta sauce so you can get dinner on the table in just 20 minutes.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (5)

Meatball Soup

This meatball soup is a hearty soup made with precooked frozen meatballs for an easy budget friendly meal for the whole family. Although authentic Albondigas is made with raw meatballs, made from scratch, if you’re in a hurry, you can quickly use frozen meatballs instead.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (6)

Creamy Spaghetti and Meatballs

Make creamy spaghetti and meatballs with fewer dishes and less effort. Classic spaghetti and Italian style meatballs just got even easier.

Slow Cooker

Crockpot meals cook low and slow, so you can set it and forget it. Just like the Instant Pot, you can keep your meatballs warm for extended periods of time, making this an excellent option for preparing food ahead of time or keeping food warm for a family gathering.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (7)

3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

3-ingredient Hawaiian meatballs in a sweet and tangy sauce made with frozen meatballs, sloppy joe sauce, and pineapple chunks in the slow cooker.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (8)

Crock Pot Sweet And Sour Meatballs

These crock-pot sweet and sour meatballs are made with the help of your slow cooker and have a sweet and sour taste that everyone will love. Serve these delicious meatballs over white rice.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (9)

Slow Cooker Beer Meatballs

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and flavorful appetizer for game day or a potluck then you’ll love these Slow Cooker Beer Meatballs!

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (10)

Slow Cooker Enchilada Meatballs

Slow cooker enchilada meatballs are delicious, cheesy and fun. This easy recipe is a winning combination of flexible and flavorful.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (11)

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Meatballs

Perfectly sweet and savory, these crock pot honey garlic meatballs are slow-cooked in a delicious sauce made with garlic and honey.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (12)

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs

Slow cooker teriyaki meatballs are incredibly easy to make. Serve them along with white rice. Use your favorite sauce.

Air Fryer

An air fryer is a countertop convection oven that takes up very little space but is very powerful. You can usually air fry food much faster with way less time spent pre-heating. Use an oven-style air fryer or a basket-style air fryer.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (13)

Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs in Marinara

Make frozen meatballs in the air fryer! Cooks from frozen in only 15 minutes and calls for only two ingredients: frozen meatballs and marinara sauce.

Stovetop

Leave the kitchen gadgets behind and try a classic stovetop recipe.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (14)

Creamy Garlic Mushroom Meatballs

Easy creamy garlic and mushroom meatballs make for a simple but jazzed-up comfort food that your whole family will enjoy.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (15)

Honey Sriracha Meatballs

Easy and delicious honey sriracha meatballs are glazed with a spicy, sweet, garlic sauce. Make them on the stovetop or in your slow cooker.

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (16)

Creamy Rigatoni Meatball Soup

Nothing say comfort more than a bowl of this creamy, rigatoni meatball soup. This recipe is quick and easy and will be done in 20 minutes.

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Italian Wedding Soup

A classic soup, easy italian wedding soup with frozen meatballs uses simple ingredients and easy cooking method.

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Easy Swedish Meatballs

Perfect Swedish meatballs smothered in a homemade sour cream sauce right from frozen meatballs an easy, simple family-friendly dinner recipe without the work. Serve over egg noodles.

Storage

Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. To store, place the meatballs in an airtight container or zippered food storage bag.

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About Kelsey Smith

I am a freelance content writer by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing comfort food recipes.

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  1. Elizabeth S says

    I cannot wait to make and eat all of these! I love meatballs!

    Reply

  2. Carlee says

    So many tasty recipes to try, thanks!

    Reply

17 Easy Recipes with Frozen Meatballs (2024)

FAQs

How do you doctor up frozen meatballs? ›

As for me, I generally mash old meatballs up, just like you did with the sloppy joes. Then I treat them as I would fresh meat, and add whatever seasonings I'm in the mood for. I don't have a very adventurous palate, so my go-to choices are usually mild, like onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and basil.

Should you thaw frozen meatballs before cooking? ›

No, you do not have to thaw frozen meatballs before cooking them in sauce. In fact, cooking them frozen can help them hold their shape better. Here are some tips for cooking frozen meatballs in sauce: Heat your sauce of choice in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

What can I eat with meatballs instead of pasta? ›

10 Side Dishes to Pair With Meatballs Besides Spaghetti
  • Jen's Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
  • Tasty Spicy Rice Pilaf.
  • Fried Cabbage and Egg Noodles.
  • Peperonata.
  • Peanut Butter Noodles.
  • Tasty BBQ Corn on the Cob.
  • Disney's Ratatouille.
  • 8. ' Chinese Buffet' Green Beans.
Jul 30, 2019

Why are my frozen meatballs rubbery? ›

If the meatballs are packed together too tightly, they will cook up rubbery, chewy, and tough.

How do you elevate frozen meatballs? ›

10 Ways to Turn Frozen Meatballs into an Easy Weeknight Dinner
  1. Turn them into hearty subs. ...
  2. Toss them in the slow cooker. ...
  3. Make a pizza out of them. ...
  4. Grill them on skewers. ...
  5. Skip IKEA and make your own Köttbullar. ...
  6. Get bowled over. ...
  7. Add a little touch of Catalonia. ...
  8. Bake them into a casserole.
Sep 12, 2019

How do you elevate store bought meatballs? ›

If you want to enhance the flavor of store bought meatballs, you can try several methods. One option is to simmer them in a flavorful sauce such as marinara or barbecue sauce. You can also spice them up by adding herbs, spices, or grated cheese to the meatball mixture before cooking.

Can I put frozen meatballs in sauce? ›

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.

What's the best way to bake meatballs? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. ...
  3. Using a 2 tablespoon scoop, portion out meat and place on baking sheet. ...
  4. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
Oct 5, 2023

Are frozen meatballs good after 2 years? ›

According to the USDA, if food is frozen properly (at 0°F or below) it should be safe to eat indefinitely.

What pairs well with meatballs? ›

If you are doing Swedish meatballs do either mashed potatoes or German potato salad on the side. If you are doing an Italian style meatball serve it on top of penne or bow tie pasta with a tomato sauce with garlic bread. Make the meal a “theme” around “round”! Meatballs, buttered (or better: ghee) peas, and arancini!

What do Italians eat meatballs with? ›

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.

What is a spaghetti with meatballs called? ›

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 kinds of meatballs are documented in certain Italian regions and in modern Italian cookbooks as maccheroni alle polpette (translated as "spaghetti with meatballs") and ...

What does adding milk to meatballs do? ›

When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs. Milk adds a certain level of moisture that helps produce perfectly tender meatballs.

What is the secret to making tender meatballs? ›

Egg and breadcrumbs are common mix-ins to add moisture and tenderness. Another binder option that people swear by is a panade, which is fresh or dry breadcrumbs that have been soaked in milk. “The soaked breadcrumbs help keep the proteins in the meat from shrinking,” as food writer Tara Holland explained in the Kitchn.

Are frozen meatballs healthy? ›

Are frozen meatballs healthy? The healthiness of frozen meatballs depends on the ingredients used. Opt for options with lean meats and minimal additives for a healthier choice.

How do you cook store bought frozen meatballs? ›

Place the frozen meatballs in the hot pan, making sure there's enough space between them to allow for even cooking. Cook the meatballs for about 10-12 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly. Use a lid to cover the pan, which can help speed up the cooking process.

What to pair with meatballs? ›

Creamy mashed potatoes, salads, and the most delicious veggies. These side dishes pair with all your favorite meatball recipes, from simple sauteed meatballs, to Curry Meatballs, Turkey Swedish Meatballs, Mexican Meatballs, and more! Be sure to check out these 30+ yummy sauces for meatballs too!

Can you cook frozen meatballs in spaghetti sauce? ›

Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in marinara sauce on top of cooked angel hair or spaghetti noodles without ruining the dish. Here's how you can do it: Start by heating the marinara sauce in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Once the sauce is hot, add the frozen meatballs to the pot.

How do you keep frozen meatballs from drying out? ›

Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the meatballs from drying out. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are cooked through. Remove the foil, and if desired, broil for a few minutes to achieve a caramelized finish.

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