In the hustle and bustle of daily life, preparing delicious and nutritious meals can be a challenge. However, with some planning and preparation, you can create make-ahead freezer meatballs that offer convenience and flexibility. These meatballs can be made in large batches, frozen, and then quickly reheated for a variety of dishes, making them a lifesaver for busy individuals and families. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner option, a hearty appetizer, or an easy way to add protein to your meals, this guide will provide you with all you need to know about creating and using freezer meatballs, from the best ingredients and techniques to storage tips and serving suggestions. Get ready to discover the art of meal prep and enjoy delicious, homemade meatballs whenever the craving strikes.
Let's cook with our recipes!
MAKE-AHEAD MEATBALLS
My husband and I have company often. Keeping a supply of these frozen meatballs on hand means I can easily prepare a quick, satisfying meal. I start with a versatile meatball mix that makes about 12 dozen meatballs, then freeze them in batches for future use. -Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 5 batches (about 30 meatballs per batch).
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls, about 12 dozen. , Place meatballs on greased racks in shallow baking pans. Bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes or until no longer pink, turning often; drain. Cool. , Freeze option: Freeze cooled meatballs in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Reheat on a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan in a preheated 350° oven until heated through.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 334mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
MAKE-AHEAD FREEZER MEATBALLS
A wonderful all-purpose meatball to use in a variety of recipes! Easy to make, and with ingredients usually on hand. The yield is based on 1-1/2" meatballs, but you can make them smaller. I get about forty-eight 1" meatballs out of this same recipe.
Provided by pianomom
Categories Meat
Time 35m
Yield 32 1-1/2, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients except beef.
- Mix in beef well, and shape into meatballs.
- Place all on single layer in pan.
- Bake 20 minutes at 350.
- Remove and drain on paper towels, and let cool 15 minutes.
- Put in freezer bag or freezer container or use immediately.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY SWEDISH MEATBALLS
Make this simple Swedish meatball recipe for tonight's dinner or prep ahead and freeze to make later.
Provided by Bailey
Categories Main Dish Recipes Meatball Recipes
Time 4h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add frozen meatballs, broth, condensed soup, mushrooms, onion, steak sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
- Cook until heated through and vegetables are tender, on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 6 hours, mixing in sour cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 319.8 calories, Carbohydrate 12.3 g, Cholesterol 95.1 mg, Fat 21.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 19.4 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 777.6 mg, Sugar 1.3 g
GREEK MEATBALLS WITH GREEN BEANS AND TOMATOES (MAKE-AHEAD FREEZER MEAL)
Incredible meatballs with delicious flavor! This dish was created as a make-ahead freezer meal, but can easily be made from start to finish at one time (see Notes). Bake from frozen and serve with pita and tzatziki sauce, or Greek rice if desired. You can even toss the meatballs in your favorite pasta sauce or use the meat mixture to make tasty burgers! Consider making and freezing a double batch for an easy weeknight meal or snack.
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories Meatballs
Time 55m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together onion, feta cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, garlic, oregano, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add turkey, salt, and pepper; mix until well combined.
- Use wet hands to form mixture into twenty 1 ½- to 2-inch meatballs. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until browned and slightly firm, 10 to 12 minutes; meatballs will not be fully cooked at this point. Let meatballs cool completely, about 20 minutes.
- Combine cooled meatballs and green beans in a large, resealable freezer bag. Tightly seal the bag, allowing as much air to escape as possible. Freeze for up to one month.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Empty frozen meatballs and beans onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Add cherry tomatoes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake in the preheated 425 degree F (220 degree C) oven until veggies are tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, and salt for tzatziki sauce.
- Serve meatballs and veggies with pita rounds and tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 577 calories, Carbohydrate 44.6 g, Cholesterol 231.2 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 6.6 g, Protein 44.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.6 g, Sodium 1382 mg
BAKED CHICKEN MEATBALLS
My family loves these chicken meatballs, so they're on the menu often. They're wonderful as an appetizer or when we're watching the game, but I love to turn them into easy dinner options as well. -Haley Herridge, Columbus, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine the first 9 ingredients. Add chicken; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until cooked through, 20-25 minutes. If desired, top with additional chopped fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 326 calories, Fat 20g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 129mg cholesterol, Sodium 647mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
Tips:
- Use a combination of ground meats. This will give your meatballs a more complex flavor and texture. Some good combinations include beef and pork, beef and veal, or turkey and chicken.
- Add plenty of seasonings. This is what will really give your meatballs their flavor. Some good options include garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough. Just mix the ingredients until they are combined.
- Form the meatballs into uniform sizes. This will help them cook evenly.
- Brown the meatballs before freezing them. This will help to seal in their flavor and prevent them from drying out in the freezer.
- Freeze the meatballs in a single layer. This will help them freeze quickly and evenly.
- Store the frozen meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Make-ahead freezer meatballs are a great way to save time and money. They are also a delicious and versatile meal that can be used in a variety of dishes. With a little planning, you can easily have a freezer full of meatballs that are ready to go whenever you need them.
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