I am not exaggerating when I say this is the perfect meatball recipe. These meatballs are easy to make, the ingredients are things you probably have on hand, and they freeze like a dream.
Is there anything better than homemade meatballs, you guys? I think not. Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food for me. Having some in the freezer for busy weeknights or unexpected company makes my life so much easier. My kids love them, my husband loves them, and I love them. These meatballs taste amazing PLAIN, but add spaghetti with marinara sauce or use them for beef stroganoff and you really have a killer meal on your hands.
How to make freezer meatballs + the best meatball recipe:
*This recipe is adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. I love this book. We use it all the time.
Add ground beef, chopped onions, breadcrumbs and seasonings into a large bowl and mix well.
Roll the mixture between your hands to shape into balls.
Heat olive oil over medium heat in a big skillet. Cook meatballs until brown and cooked through about 6-8 minutes on each side. I usually cook half the meatballs at a time. This recipe will yield about 40 meatballs.
How to Freeze Meatballs
Drain the oil using a paper towel. Place meatballs in a single layer on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Flash freeze.
Once frozen, place in freezer bags or containers to store them in the freezer. For best results, use within two months.
For the record, ours have never even come close to lasting us two months. Haha.
How to freeze meatballs and sauce together:
Put 10 or so meatballs in a freezer bag, add 2 or 3 cups of your favorite marinara sauce, and lay the bag flat. Squeeze air out and seal tightly, then lay flat in the freezer. When you're ready to thaw the meatballs and sauce, you can put them in the refrigerator overnight, or go with my preferred way - use the slow cooker!
How to cook meatballs and sauce in the slow cooker:
Dump meatballs and sauce out of the freezer bag and into your slow cooker, and cook on high for 3 hours. Serve over pasta or spiralized zucchini!
Check out these other easy Italian recipes:
Meatball Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 eggs slightly beaten with fork
- ⅔ cup soft bread crumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese finely shredded
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 lb. ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except olive oil into a large bowl, mix well.
- Roll meatball mixture between your hands to shape into balls. Each ball should be about two tablespoons.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a big skillet. Cook meatballs until brown and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes on each side.)
Notes
Nutrition
Nelly
Simple and delicious! I froze 30 and kept the last 10 out for supper. They were a hit for my girlfriend's birthday dinner, and I know these will be in our regular rotation.
Note: I cooked them in the oven instead of pan frying. They came out perfect at 30 mins with the oven at 400°F.
Jessica
Genius! Thanks so much for sharing!
Olivia
These meatballs are the best! Super easy to make too and great for meal prepping, thank you!
jess
I made these the other night for dinner with some pasta and they were fantastic! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe
April
Homemade meatballs are the BEST! These were so easy to make and I love that I can freeze them for later!
Kim
These seriously are soooo good! And pretty easy! I like to do a big batch and freeze them so I can have quick delicious meals later.
Keelyn
I'm 12, I made this recipe with my dad's supervision. We love the taste and for the most part the meat balls stuck together. My dad also made a wicked good home made tomato sauce to go with! Delish!
Sarah
We're so glad you liked them, and that's awesome that you and your dad are cooking together!