If you’re looking for easy and delicious ways to use your frozen meatballs, look no further. Today I’ll be sharing lots of ways you can use frozen meatballs on a busy weeknight to create a balanced meal. I’ll also share lots of information on how you can make delicious meatballs at home.
Great Tools to Have
These are the tools you’ll most likely need when cooking meatballs and following recipes you may look up.
- Pressure Cooker
- Slow Cooker
- Instant Pot or Multifunction Cooker (this replaces a pressure cooker and slow cooker)
- Meat Grinder
- Kitchen Scale
- Sharp Knife + Cutting Board
- Air Fryer
- Baking Trays
- Large Skillet
For some, a food processor is their preferred method to preparing vegetables that may be mixed into their meatballs (onion, mushroom, etc.). This would replace the knife and cutting board. Some brands also make small dicer/choppers which can be helpful. These are great tools for those who are short on time or short on bandwidth.
There are pros and cons to having a meat grinder and mincing your meat at home. The best part: the financial savings. You can go to stores such as Costco and purchase high quality meat for 35 – 50% less than a regular grocery store. Often times you can get organic ground turkey and grass fed ground beef. However, if you’d like ground pork, you’ll need to grind it yourself.
I did this for years and the savings were out of this world… we’re talking thousands saved each year grinding the meat at home. Now, if you don’t have much time to spare, this won’t be a viable method for you, unless your kids are old enough to do the grinding and washing up after.
Delicious & Convenient Ingredients to Keep in Your Pantry
- Chicken Broth or Beef Broth (stock works as well)
- Rice (white rice, brown rice)
- Noodles/Pasta (keep a variety including egg noodles and lasagna sheets)
- Sauces (marinara sauce, pizza sauce, cream sauce, pesto, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, etc.)
- Smoked Sea Salt (this adds layers of flavor)
- Seasonings, Spices, Dried Herbs (I love the brand Spicely Organics for spices)
- Breadcrumbs (optional, you can make meatballs without them)
Gluten & Egg Free Recipes for Homemade Meatballs
For those who manage food allergies, here are a few meatball recipes my kids are loving. These are all gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and very allergy friendly.
- Pineapple Pork Balls (a great recipe that my kids adore)
- Bacon, Spinach, Gouda Meatball Recipe (a family favorite recipe around here)
- Chicago Style Meatballs (this recipe packs a lot of flavor)
- Wild Blueberry Meatball Recipe (these pair very well with a Parmesan cheese sauce)
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Frozen Meatball Ideas for Easy Dinners
If you need a quick meal, here are some easy ideas for you:
- Meatball Sub Sandwich
- Italian Meatballs and Pasta
- Easy Swedish Meatballs with Rice
- Meatball Soup (think chicken and dumplings, but with frozen meatballs)
- Sheet Pan Meal with Frozen Meatballs and Frozen Veg (make sure you know the cook time and temperature of both items, because you may need to use more than one baking sheet to pull this off).
Creative Ways to Use Your Meatballs Recipe
Easy Lasagna Soup
You can use your own meatballs or meatballs from the grocery store for this one. In an oven safe pot or Dutch Oven (on the stove top), cook aromatics such as onion, carrot, celery, and mushroom in a bit of cooking oil. Once they’ve softened, add tomato products, salt, and seasonings. Mix that up. If your meatballs are large, allow them to thaw a bit, then quarter them.
If you have small frozen meatballs, add them whole. Now, break dry lasagna noodles into the pot. Mix everything up very well, place the lid on, then pop that in your oven. When the pasta is to your liking, your meatball lasagna soup is ready to serve.
Meatballs Parmesan
Think: eggplant Parmesan, but meatballs instead. I like to make this by slicing onions whole (so you have really large rings), and I place them in the bottom of a baking dish (or casserole dish) . Next, I add a little Parmesan cheese, then top with delicious meatballs. You can use shaped uncooked meatballs or cooked meatballs.
Now, add a sauce of your choice. I like to use the Kirkland Organic Marinara Sauce (from Costco, organic, top 8 allergy free). Once that’s spread all over, I top with more dairy free Parmesan and bake. When the onions are soft and the meatballs are cooked all the way through, you’re ready to serve.
If you decide to make this, make sure your meatball mix is fully loaded with Italian seasoning, as this will compliment the Parmesan cheese and onions so well. You can use a red sauce, white sauce, or even a butternut squash sauce for this idea.
Tater Tot Meatball Casserole
I used to make something like this for my kids when they were younger and they often said it was their favorite meal and comfort food. To make this, you’ll want to bake tater tots, then crush them down in a single layer. Next, add frozen peas, then your meatballs, and finally top with a cheese of choice.
You can use all sorts of meatballs for this idea (Italian style meatballs, turkey meatballs, chicken meatballs, etc.), and even swap the frozen peas for a different veggie your family enjoys.
I never used a sauce when I made this easy meal, but I could easily see a few different sauces working well: heavy cream sauce, marinara sauce, BBQ sauce, and even a butternut squash sauce. As long as the sauce of choice pairs well with the seasonings in your meatballs, you’re golden.
Meatball Pizza Bites
For this idea, you’re going to need pizza dough. Since I manage kids with food allergies, I use the Wholly Wholesome gluten free pizza dough ball that’s sold in the frozen section in a lot of stores nationwide. I thaw that completely first, but you can use a fresh dough. For this idea, unless you want a meatball pizza, you need to use a dough, not a par-baked crust.
I break of portions of pizza dough, roll it, and flatten it. Then, place a meatball in the middle and wrap the pizza dough all around it. You want to make sure that all the seams are nicely put together, as you don’t want your dough to burst open when cooking. Nothing bad will happen if it does, but it’s not the same presentation.
Finally, place all of your wrapped meatballs on a sheet pan and pop it in the oven. I bake according to the directions on the crust. When my crust is golden brown and fully cooked, I serve my meatball pizza bites with a dipping sauce.
To take this to the next level: use a stuffed meatball in the middle. That way, when someone takes a bite they get the crust, the meat, and the ooey-gooey cheesy center.
Honey Garlic Ginger Meatballs with Asian Vegetables
If you’re a fan of Asian flavors, this is a great variation of meatballs to make. You’ll want to use garlic, smoked salt, ginger, and chopped lemongrass in your meat mix. Also add a little mirin, red pepper flakes, and a touch of brown sugar or maple sugar. Once your meatballs are cooking, sauté Asian vegetables.
My favorite sauce to serve this with is a creamy rich sauce that I make with dairy free milk, dairy free butter (remember, food allergies over here), organic honey, smoked salt, black pepper, and a little bit of chopped greens. My kids dip their super flavorful meatballs in this sauce, and let me tell you, everyone is so happy with this flavor profile.
I’ll also add this, if you’re not allergic to sesame seeds, you can use them as a garnish (I have a severe sesame allergy and it’s not allowed in the house).
Chicken & Mushroom Meatballs
If you’ve ever had a classic chicken and mushroom dinner, this is that, but meatball form. First, to make your life easier, use your food processor to chop onion and mushrooms. Transfer this to a mixing bowl, then add ground chicken. If your chicken is lean, add a little fat as well if you’d like (such as olive oil). Mix well (but don’t overwork), then portion and roll into meatballs.
Place the meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, then bake until your meatballs are done. Whilst they’re in the oven, make a rich and creamy gravy that features mushroom powder (easier than chopping more mushrooms, plus it allows for a smooth sauce). Toss your meatballs in the sauce when they come out of the oven and you’re ready to serve.
This pairs really well with pasta, rice, quinoa, zucchini noodles, and mashed potatoes (or even fries).
Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
You’ll want to season ground chicken with classic Greek flavors (I often go with lemon and dill when I make these). You’ll want to use ground chicken, or even ground rabbit as they pair really well with lighter flavors (when compared to something like ground beef).
Once everything is mixed, portion and roll your meatballs, then place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake until they’re cooked all the way through. You can make tzatziki sauce at home with simple ingredients, or you can purchase it at the grocery store.
When your meatballs are out, they’re ready to serve with your sauce on the side. Toast, cooked pasta, and zucchini noodles are all fabulous pairings for this dish.
Korean Beef Meatballs with Spicy Broth
For one of my kids, this is their favourite of my frozen meatball dinner ideas since they adore all things hot and spicy. To make this concept, you’ll want to cook ramen noodles (or buckwheat soba, or pasta of choice) in a spicy broth. Preferably, you’ll want to add spice to a rich pork broth.
Next, make the meatball mix. Lean into spicy Korean staples such as gochujang, and umami ingredients such as fish sauce. Once your mix is done, cook your meatballs (my preferred method for saucy meatballs is in the oven).
Once your meatballs are out, add them to your cooked ramen in the spicy broth and you’re ready to enjoy.
Crock Pot Cheesy Meatballs
This easy crockpot meal starts with any type of meatballs and a shredded cheese that will pair well with them. My kids love cheesy meatballs with dairy free Parmesan, dairy free smoked gouda, and dairy free mozzarella cheese.
You can adapt any Crock Pot meatball recipe to make this happen. Make sure you add a sauce to your meatballs and mix them in well. I like to layer things a bit (sauce on bottom, some cheese, then meatballs, more cheese, more sauce, more cheese, etc.).
The nice thing about this is that you can get it started when you leave for work and come home to not only a house that smells amazing, but a delicious dinner. This would pair well with a very wide range of carbohydrates and cooked veggies.
Tips For Making Meatballs at Home
For those who want to make their own meatballs, here are my best tips for you.
- Start with a meat that has a decent fat content. 15% is usually a great starting place.
- Don’t be afraid to mix meats (beef + pork, chicken + pork, and duck + chicken are all great combinations).
- Don’t overwork your meat mixture. That can lead to meh meatballs. If you can, mix with a large fork rather than your hands so you don’t start the fat melting process from the heat in your hands.
- You don’t *need* breadcrumbs and eggs. If you skip these, make sure you watch your cook time so you don’t dry out your meatballs.
When you make your own meatballs at home, know that there are a few different ways to cook meatballs, and each one will yield different results.
A large skillet, in fat, on the stove top will result in a beautiful caramelization and crispy sides when done right. You can start the meatballs on medium-high heat, brown them on all sides, then turn the heat down to allow them to finish cooking. If you cook the meatballs on high heat, you’ll have burned exteriors and possibly undercooked interiors depending on the size of the meatball.
You can line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then place shaped meatballs on the tray. Pop this into your oven to bake. This method results in a meatball with little to no browning, and very little crisp. For texture averse children and adults, this may be one of the best cooking methods.
For those who have an air fryer, you can cook meatballs in that as well. Your manual will have the best settings for you to follow, and this will result in meatballs with a bit of a crispy exterior.
Meatballs & Meal Prep: Your Ticket to More Easy Meals
I’m a huge fan of easy prep, and in my humble opinion, meatballs are indeed something easy to prep. Making a massive amount of meatballs in one go doesn’t take a tonne of extra time, but can be a huge time saver in the long run. You’ll have a lot of busy nights or low energy nights when you can pull from your meatball stash and dinner is just ready to go. I tell my kids it’s like having fairy food.
The best way to freeze meatballs if you plan on prepping in advance is to freeze them cooked. This allows you to quickly use them in the future. To thaw frozen meatballs, you can place a portion in your refrigerator overnight, and then have them the next day. Also, you can take thawed meatballs in a lunch and eat them cold (I’ve done this a lot with my bison).
The biggest tip is to have the right storage system in place. You’ll want to freeze your meatballs in an airtight container. This can be a glass container with a lid or a freezer bag. Also, make sure you label your meatballs with the flavour and date made so you can rotate through them in a timely fashion.
Having frozen meatballs that you can quickly cook is also great if you’re feeding kids 10 and up. You can let them “cook dinner” for the family and help build their kitchen independence. All they’d need to do is place frozen meatballs onto a tray with parchment paper and pop it in the oven. Alternatively, they could cook meatballs from frozen in the air fryer if you have one.
Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Meatballs
What I love about meatballs is that they really lend themselves to a range of flavour profiles. If you’re purchasing frozen meatballs, you can opt for meatballs that have a more generic seasoning, then use delicious sauce ingredients that shift the flavour in one direction or another.
For those who opt to make fresh meatballs at home, you can pack your meatball mix with flavours from all around the globe. You also have the bonus option of switching up your protein to add more variety to your meals (and variety to the overall nutritional profile you consume).
Here are just a few fun ways you can use your meatballs. Some of these ideas require your meatballs to have a more generic flavour so they don’t clash with a new sauce.
Miso Meatball Pasta Bake
Place dry/uncooked pasta in a glass baking dish (or casserole dish). Add leftover meatballs, then top with a homemade miso driven sauce. Cover with foil and bake until the pasta is cooked to your liking. For an extra pop of flavour, top with sesame seeds when serving.
Easy Dump Dinner: Creamy Meatballs
In your pressure cooker, Dutch Oven, or Crock Pot, add meatballs, cream of mushroom soup, and dry/uncooked pasta. Frozen peas are another great ingredient to add. Mix everything up, then cook until the pasta is done to your liking.
If you’re gluten free and dairy free, I’ve got a great recipe on RAISE for cream of mushroom soup (top 9 allergy free).
Sweet & Sour Sauce Meatballs & Rice
To make this, get your rice cooker going, and if you have the steamer insert basket, pop some frozen veggies in as well. Dice a pineapple and an onion and cook together in butter/dairy free butter, then add the rest of your ingredients for sweet and sour sauce (there are lots of recipes to choose from on this one).
Once the sauce is done, add the leftover meatballs to the sauce and simmer with a lid on low heat. This allows the meatballs to start soaking up the flavours of the sauce whilst also heating them up. When everything is hot and ready, serve and enjoy.
Swedish Meatballs Pasta
You can use generic meatballs or Swedish meatballs for this idea. Either way, place dry/uncooked pasta in a large glass baking dish (or casserole dish). Top with your leftover meatballs, then add a rich Swedish meatball sauce. If you’re an Ikea fan, there are lots of copycat recipes available online.
Cover with foil and bake. When the pasta is done to your liking, top with fresh chopped parsley, and your Swedish meatball pasta bake is ready to be enjoyed.
Taco Bowl Meatballs
If you’re a fan of grain bowls, harvest bowls, and all the other bowls, I think you’ll really enjoy a taco bowl featuring meatballs. First, make sure you start with taco seasoned meatballs. You’ll start by adding cooked rice to the bottom of your bowl, then top with black beans and corn. Add quartered leftover taco meatballs, then top with ingredients such as salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Taco bowls done 🙂
French Onion Meatball Pasta
For French onion soup fans, this is a great way to use up leftover meatballs. To make this, follow this simple “recipe”: cooked pasta of choice + quartered leftover meatballs + French onion soup.
Depending on how you like to make your soup, you may want to thicken it with a cornstarch slurry or arrowroot slurry so it’s more saucy. Either way, with these three items, you can make a really cool pasta. You can also add a little garnish such as fresh chopped parsley, a little sprinkle of thyme, or even chopped fresh chives.
Tangy BBQ Meatballs & Rice
This is such an easy way to use leftover meatballs. Cook your rice (add veggies to your rice cooker if you have the steamer basket insert), and once it’s done, top with leftover meatballs and a BBQ sauce you love. Easy peasy.
Creamy Meatball Chili/Stew
For this, think white bean chicken chili, but instead, white bean meatball chili. You’ll cook aromatics and mushrooms, then add ingredients for a rich creamy white sauce. Add your white beans (I use drained canned beans) and quartered leftover meatballs. Mix everything together well and simmer on low heat to let the flavours meld together. The cooking time is usually about 30 minutes for me.
Serve over cooked rice or cooked pasta if you’d prefer.
Meatball Salad
Cut up crispy romaine lettuce and top with quartered meatballs, and any other salad toppings that would pair well with the flavours of your meatballs. Don’t forget ingredients such as seeds (an easy easy to add extra nutrients) and croutons. Top with a creamy salad dressing and you’re good to go.
If you’re a fan of meal prep like I am, make several salads in one go, that way you have a few salads in your refrigerator ready for quick and easy lunches. If you opt for the meal prep route, invest in little salad dressing containers so you can put that with your salad, but not use it until you’re ready to eat it. This will keep your lettuce nice and crisp in the fridge.
Curry Meatballs
You’ll need to start with meatballs that have a basic flavor profile, or make curry seasoned meatballs from the start. On your stovetop, sauté an onion, then add Greek yogurt, curry powder, red pepper flakes to your liking. Mix everything together and coat your meatballs in this rich creamy sauce. Top with fresh herbs such as parsley for an extra pop of colour.
This pairs well with steamed rice and veggies or cooked pasta and veggies.
Need more easy recipes?
Check out the Advanced Recipe Search, where you can find easy dinner recipes and a whole lot more (breakfasts, snacks, desserts, etc.). With over 100 filters for allergens and special diets, the ARS is the most powerful search tool online for special diets, food allergies, restricted diets, and more. You can give it a spin here, and find all the dinner recipes that will meet the needs of your household.
Related Recipe: Chicken & Pepper Meatballs (gluten free, dairy free, egg free)
Answering Your Fresh & Frozen Meatball Dinner Questions
What are good side dishes for meatballs?
Meatballs pair SO well with lots of different sides. Here’s a short list of ideas to get you started:
- Pasta/Spaghetti + Sauce
- Rice Pilaf
- Mashed Potatoes
- Jacket Potatoes/Baked Potatoes
- Quinoa with Peas Mixed In
- Oven Roasted Vegetables (my kids love frozen green beans sprinkled with onion granules and nutritional yeast)
- Steamed Veggies Your Family Loves (my kids are all in for steamed broccoli, steamed carrots, and steamed beets)
- Carbohydrates Such as Garlic Toast and Buttery Bread Rolls
Is it possible to buy gluten free and dairy free frozen meatballs?
Yes, it is possible!! I have it on good authority that the chicken meatballs at trader joe’s in the frozen food section are not only gluten free and dairy free, but they’re also egg free and top 9 allergy free. I don’t have current info on their facility or processing equipment, so make sure your reach out to them if that’s info you need.
What I particularly love about these being an option: it gives free-from families a fantastic option for busy nights. Sometimes, just having an element of convenience can make a world of difference.
What are homestyle meatballs?
The main two types of meatballs you’ll see recipes for are Italian meatballs and homestyle meatballs. Whilst the ingredients are pretty similar, Italian meatballs will usually have a meat blend of some sort, and Italian seasonings. Additionally, these recipes usually call for a bit of milk, and the portion size is a little smaller as well.
On the other hand, homestyle meatballs tend to mean “everything else”. Honestly, who knows why we’re made a big deal about these differences, but I suspect it boils down to culinary tradition.
At the end of the day, just make sure you make delicious tender meatballs with a flavor profile your taste buds are going to love (and don’t forget to add a sauce if you can).
I have a corn allergy. Is there a way to make a cornstarch slurry without corn for a gravy?
You’ll want to make an arrowroot slurry to replace the cornstarch slurry. In my humble opinion, arrowroot is a dream ingredient for people like me and you who are allergic to corn. I’ve detailed how to use an arrowroot slurry in this article.
Can I use dry onion soup mix as a seasoning for my meatballs?
Yes, you totally can. You can also use other seasoning packets such as taco seasoning, and *gasp* ranch dip. Though, the ranch dip packet will have to be used wisely, as not everything will pair well with it.
A packet of dry onion soup mix is going to add a really cool flavor bomb to your meatballs. Make sure you don’t use too much of the mix (look online for a basic ratio), and if you have leftovers, you could use it in your sauce to help reinforce the flavors.
Can homemade meatballs be stored in the freezer?
In addition to fridge storage, yes, you can store leftover meatballs in the freezer. In fact, you have a couple of options. Your first option is to freeze raw meatball mix. To do this, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then make the mix, shape meatballs, and place them on the tray. You can get a lot on the tray, just try to make sure they aren’t actually touching (so they don’t stick together). To make sure your meatballs hold their shape, you can only freeze a single layer at a time like this (unless you have several shelves open in the freezer and you can freeze a few trays at once).
Pop the whole tray in the freezer, and once the meatballs are frozen solid, transfer them to a large freezer bag. Now, whenever you’d like to cook meatballs, you just pull out what you need. You can thaw them before cooking, or cook from their frozen raw state. If you’re a big fan of meatballs, do this a few times a month, but make a different flavour each time, label your bags, and enjoy having a variety to choose from.
The second of your options is to freeze cooked meatballs. It’s pretty easy to do this when you’re planning on eating meatballs anyway. Make a double or triple batch of your meatball recipe, then freeze all of the extras. It’s the same freezing process (tray, parchment, etc.).
Either way, these are both great options, and I’ve personally done the second a LOT. Batch cooking and freezing it totally my jam.
How can I make low sodium meatballs that actually taste good?
There are a couple of things you can do to make sure your low sodium meatballs come out successful. First, do the math and make sure you’re using as much salt as possible. Know how big your portion size is that way your equation is accurate.
Next, load up on other flavours. For example, don’t use a teaspoon of garlic powder, use two. Don’t use a half teaspoon salt, but instead smoked salt since it has more flavor.
When you follow a meatball recipe, bump up everything but the salt a bit and you’ll have a meatball that just explodes with flavour. That explosion helps you forget or overlook the lack of salt. Remember, salt is a critical ingredient for making flavourful food, and it also helps draw out other flavours.
Be sure to look up both sweet and savory meatball recipes as this will allow you to experiment with different options and see what you like best. Finally, know that a little sugar/sweetener can go a long way, spicy ingredients are excellent if you can tolerate them, and don’t skimp on fat. When possible, cook your meatballs in a large skillet in something like butter. The extra flavour will also help you overlook the lack of sodium. Happy cooking!
Can meatballs be served as an appetizer?
Of course they can! I think one of the best ways to help them feel like an appetizer is to serve them on toothpicks. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure they’re on the small side so people don’t feel stuffed after eating a few.
Depending on the event, you may want to serve sauceless meatballs, so make sure you really load up on flavorful ingredients if that’s your plan.
