I have been so busy lately, it is ridiculous!
On a busy weeknights like this, there is no way I want to come home and prepare a meal. To tell you the truth, I have been pretending that crackers and cheese was a balanced dinner idea. I am slowly reverting back to my college day eating habits. But then I remembered: didn’t I make some meatballs last week and freeze them? When I have meatballs in the freezer, cooking dinner is as easy as cooking the pasta. Nothing to it.
And they are so easy to make! I kid you not, this is the FIRST meatball recipe I have made in my life! As a complete novice at cooking anything other than chicken and…well…pasta, I can tell you that these meatballs are 100% fool proof. And that is coming from the fool herself.
These meatballs are so cheesy and flavorful that I am considering making these a weekly thing. Freezer meals have been saving my sanity lately! Make these on the weekend for quick and easy weeknight meals, or save it for Thanksgiving for those people out there who don’t like turkey (yes, they do exist. I am one of them!).
These meatballs are perfect over top of pasta, with some of this kale and quinoa salad on the side. My days of eating crackers and cheese over the sink for dinner time are OVER!
Freezer Meatballs Ingredients
These easy freezer meatballs are only made with 10 ingredients. All you need is:
- extra lean ground beef
- hot Italian sausage
- yellow onion
- fresh garlic
- bread crumbs
- grated Parmesan cheese
- large eggs
- dried oregano
- salt
- pepper
Full measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Tips
Use a different ground meat. While ground beef is my preferred meat for the meat mixture, you can also use ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken.
Replace the breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are great in this recipe, but you can also use oat flour or grind up some gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten free.
Use a cookie scoop to make even-sized meatballs. I love using this medium cookie scoop when making meatballs. The size of the cookie scoop is really just a personal preference. If you like larger meatballs, use a large cookie scoop. Just know that the cook time is going to be longer. Make sure you have a meat thermometer so that you can check the internal temperature of the baked meatballs.
Some easy meals you can make with your meatballs: You can make some delicious meals with these meatballs. Some of my favorite are meatball subs, meatball sandwiches and sweet and sour meatballs. But typically, I will serve them with marinara sauce or whatever pasta sauce that I have in my pantry.
Add some extra spices. Experiment with different herbs and spices. I like adding some garlic powder, Italian seasoning and chilli flakes for an extra kick.
More Homemade Meatballs
Like these homemade Freezer Meatballs? Then you will love these delicious meatballs:
If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Freezer Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloved garlic, minced
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ËšF. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil. Set aside.
- Place all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together with your hands until fully combined.
- Form into balls. I used this cookie scoop. Place on the prepared baking sheet, and place in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, or until they are brown. Remove from the oven, and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Allow to cool.
- Place in a freezer bag and try to remove as much air as possible. (I place a straw in the bag and close it until only the straw is sticking out of the small hole. Suck the air out. It now looks vacuum sealed!)
- When ready to use, defrost in the refrigerator in the morning and they should be defrosted for dinner. Alternatively, you can throw the frozen meatballs into a sauce, and allow to simmer for around 20 minutes.
Flavorful Meatballs I love the idea of freezing some and make life quick and easier. I want to just grab this Bowl.
SO much help on weeknight!!
I so understand this! I’m a crackers and peanut butter girl but totally get the message about having a good meal prepared in the freezer.
So good!
These meatballs have everything I love in them and I’m totally drooling right now! They look fantastic!
Thanks so much Wanda 🙂
What a great idea. I love homemade meatballs! They sound tasty.
Umm who DOESN'T want 24/7 access to homemade meatballs?! These freezer meatballs are genius, girlfriend! Meatballs all day every day!! Like WHOA! 🙂 Loves it! Cheers to a fabulous day! <3
Really tempting meat balls
My husband eats lots of meat patties and would be thrilled if I make this for him with pasta.
I love the idea of having a freezer full of meatballs and I love that you used a combo of ground beef andf sausage. So much flavor!
I love the idea of having a freezer full of meatballs and I love that you used a combo of ground beef andf sausage. So much flavor!
Congratulations on making your first batch of meatballs! I'm also hooked to making my own meatballs, throwing in different herbs and spices and seasoning in each time… I love adding Parmesan cheese too, makes all the difference in the taste!
That's a great idea! So practical and easy.
So glad you found an awesome meatball recipe! I love anything that freezes well…having ready to heat and eat foods in the freezer is the best! We love meatballs in this house. The hot Italian sausage sounds great in there.
These meatballs look fantastic! Having a stockpile in the freezer is a great idea for when you need a quick, easy, yet tasty dinner.
I love meatballs. Quick easy and so much better than cheese and crackers.
Tania| http://www.mykitchenstories.com.au
Congratulations on your first batch of meatballs! They look fabulous! They definitely make a better meal than cheese and crackers. 🙂