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Homemade Frozen Meatballs

These Homemade Frozen Meatballs are perfect for throwing in your slow cooker for a delicious appetizer or easy weeknight meal. A great alternative for those store bought frozen meatballs!

pork meatballs are easy appetizer

Frozen Homemade Meatballs

Imagine this: it’s a busy weekday and you’re trying to whip up an easy dinner that the whole family will love.

In comes your knight in shining armor, a bag of homemade meatballs you’ve cleverly prepped and frozen. Sounds dreamy, right?

Also, making your own meatballs means you don’t have to worry about all the additives found in most store bought freezer meatballs. 

BONUS for no extra fillers!

Frozen Meatballs

Whether you like traditional Italian meatballs, zesty Swedish meatballs, or lean turkey meatballs, the options are endless.

These freezer-friendly meatballs are your solution to a quick and easy meal, saving you a trip to the grocery store and cooking time. No more buying a bag of meatballs when you have the best at home!

Trust me when I say, these frozen meatballs will be your new secret weapon for an effortless family dinners.

frozen meatballs make for easy crockpot meals

What type of ground meat works best for meatballs?

Both pork and beef lend a great flavor to meatballs, which is why I love using a mix of both.

You could use ground chicken or turkey if you prefer, but the taste might be slightly different.

I prefer all beef meatballs but they is just a personal preference.

Do I need to thaw the meatballs before cooking?

Yes, for the best result, thaw the meatballs overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can cook them from frozen.

Just bear in mind you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.

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ingredients for delicious meatballs

Ingredients Needed

Ground Meat – A combination of ground beef and ground pork.

Binder – Plain breadcrumbs or Panko bread crumbs.

Seasonings – Rosemary, thyme, oregano. Substitute Italian seasoning.

​Kitchen staples – Salt, black pepper, large eggs.

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How to Make the Best Frozen Meatballs

First: Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. Be sure not to over mix or over handle the meat or they will be tough.

Second: Scoop or form them into 2 inch balls. They will shrink slightly during cooking.

Third: Place in a single layer on a baking sheet prepped with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake until cooked through.

Fourth: Remove and cool completely. Freeze on a baking sheet to keep them from sticking. Store in an airtight container or freeze safe bag until ready to use.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

frozen meatballs are great option for meal prep

How to Cook Frozen Meatballs

Oven: Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange frozen meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook 15-20 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165F.

Air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 380F. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 9-13 minutes depending on the size. Check internal temperature.

Crock pot: Place frozen meatballs in the slow cooker and add sauce. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. 

Stove top: Place frozen meatballs in a skillet or pot. Add your favorite sauce and cook on medium for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through.

air fryer frozen meatballs are a quick meal

How to Enjoy Homemade Meatballs

  • Serve them with white rice or egg noodles and your favorite sauce or gravy. 
  • Make meatball subs topped with your favorite pasta sauce and lots of Parmesan cheese.
  • Slather in BBQ sauce and serve with corn and baked beans.
  • ​Combine with chicken broth and other ingredients for an Italian Wedding Soup.

How can I make sure my meatballs are the same size?

Using a ice cream scoop or cookie scoop can help ensure that all your meatballs are uniform in size.

You can also portion them out and weight them if you don’t have a scoop. This is not just for looks – it also helps the meatballs cook evenly.

bag of frozen meatballs for an easy dinner later

How long can I store the meatballs in the freezer?

These homemade meatballs can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure they are sealed in airtight containers or freezer bags to keep them fresh.

Can I freeze raw​ meatballs?

Yes, you can freeze raw meatballs. However, I find that pre-cooking them before freezing provides a better texture and flavor when you’re ready to use them.

If you are planning on using them in the crockpot I recommend cooking them beforehand. They tend to fall apart when cooked from raw in the slow cooker.

close up of baked meatballs on parchment paper

Can I reheat cooked meatballs directly from the freezer?

Yes, you can! For the best results, reheat them in the oven at 350F until they’re heated through.

If you’re adding them to a sauce, you can also let them simmer in the sauce until they’re warm.

Should I cook meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?

If your recipe has them cooking for at least 2 hours then you don’t need to thaw them first.

Just heating something through? For a dish that was precooked, like soup, I would thaw them first just to be safe.

close up of baked meatballs

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Make sure you have some fat content in the meat. Too lean = dry meatballs! Ground turkey is great but needs added fat.
  • Use fresh herbs but double the amount added.
  • Make these gluten free with GF breadcrumbs.
  • Don’t over mix or they will get tough so mix as little as possible to combine ingredients for tender meatballs.
  • Bread crumbs help bind the meat together. Plain or seasoned is up to you!
  • Season your meatballs! Go as basic as possible and use salt and black pepper for more options.
  • Make them uniform size for even baking. Use an ice cream scoop! Smaller meatballs will shorten the cook time.
  • Cook thoroughly! Internal temperature should be 165F. You can try pan frying but you will have to do it in batches.
collage of party meatballs

The only limit is your imagination. Want more meatball recipes? Check out this list!

  1. Grape Jelly Meatballs
  2. Sweet & Sour Meatballs
  3. Teriyaki Meatballs
  4. BBQ Meatballs
  5. Firecracker Meatballs

To see the rest of the list of 40+ Best Meatball Appetizers check out this post.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

bag of meatballs with red text

This easy frozen meatball recipe is great for baked meatballs that you can use for a traditional dinner like spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce or save for tossing in the crockpot for a party appetizer!

bag of frozen meatballs

Homemade Freezer Meatballs

Homemade Frozen Meatballs – Perfect to add to throw in your crock pot for a delicious appetizer and a great alternative to store-bought frozen meatballs!
4.83 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Best Cocktail Meatballs
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 50 meatballs
Calories: 395kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef 93/7
  • 2 pounds ground pork
  • 4 eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

Prepare the meatball mixture

  • In a large bowl, gently combine the ground pork and ground beef.
  • Add the eggs and breadcrumbs.
  • Add the seasonings.
  • Gently combine until mixed.

Bake and store the meatballs

  • Scoop into 1-inch balls.
  • Place on a baking sheet (with a rim).
  • Bake at 425F for 5 minutes.
  • Reduce temperature to 325F and cook for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool.
  • When the meatballs are cooled, portion out to recipes and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Enjoy these homemade meatballs anytime you want to make crockpot party meatballs!

Video

Notes

  • Make sure you have some fat content in the meat. Too lean = dry meatballs! Ground turkey is great but needs added fat.
  • Use fresh herbs but double the amount added.
  • Make these gluten free with GF breadcrumbs.
  • Don’t over mix or they will get tough so mix as little as possible to combine ingredients for tender meatballs.
  • Bread crumbs help bind the meat together. Plain or seasoned is up to you!
  • Season your meatballs! Go as basic as possible and use salt and black pepper for more options.
  • Make them uniform size for even baking. Use an ice cream scoop! Smaller meatballs will shorten the cook time.
  • Cook thoroughly! Internal temperature should be 165F. You can try pan frying but you will have to do it in batches.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 606mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

{Originally published 9/11/2019 – recipe notes, photos updated to improve reader experience 7/06/2023}

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Recipe Rating




Kelli

Tuesday 8th of October 2019

Excellent flavor. I used all ground beef instead of 1/2 ground beef & 1/2 pork. I doubled the bread crumbs. Excellent flavor!

Jennifer

Wednesday 9th of October 2019

Thank you! I am certainly going to try this next time I make a batch!

Deb Clark

Wednesday 25th of September 2019

These are a must make - I loved having them in the freezer for unexpected company or an easy dinner. 5 stars!!!

Sandra Shaffer

Wednesday 25th of September 2019

Love have these meatballs ready to go at a moments notice. The French onion is delicious for an appetizer. I also put our favorite bbq sauce over a batch. Super easy!

Michaela Kenkel

Tuesday 24th of September 2019

We did a HUGE meal prep this past weekend, and this amazing recipe post about meatballs was a God-Send! Thank you!! I have TONS O BALLS in my freezer!

Angela

Tuesday 24th of September 2019

These are a go to around here! Great recipe