Freezer Meatballs (Batch Recipe)

Batch cooking saves your life. That’s just how it is. And freezer meatballs are a great way to get the hang of having food on hand for times when you don’t know what you’re having for dinner. Rewarm them in the oven (they’re already cooked!) and add some simple sauce and a steamed vegetable on the side and dinner is done!

Protein and fat are the keys to steady energy, focus and health. Is that too bold to say? I believe it. Nourishment in general can change even the worst health. I know this because I’ve lived it and now I’m showing you how.

But keeping good food on hand can be tricky unless you learn to batch bake and meal prep. These meatballs are a great way to do that! Always on hand, you can make 20 or 200 and just need to rewarm them for your favorite lunch or dinner.

How to mix freezer meatballs

The most important thing to know here is not to over mix the meat and don’t squeeze it or compress it as you mix. Use a fork if necessary to make sure you aren’t compacting the meat.

You can also mix all the ingredients together first then add the meat and mix so you aren’t struggling to get the ingredients evenly distributed.

Should meatballs be frozen cooked or uncooked?

You can actually do it either way. I like to cook mine before freezing them so that they are ready to go when I need them, but you can also freeze them raw and then bake them (frozen or thawed) when you’re ready. The choice is yours.

How to freeze meatballs (cooked or raw)

• Cooked. Once you have baked the meatballs, allow them to cool to room temperature before draining any grease from them. Pop the entire pan (the same one the meatballs baked on) into the freezer for a couple of hours. Once the meatballs have frozen, seal them in an airtight container or a large freezer bag and return them to the freezer.
• Raw. If you choose to freeze your meatballs before cooking them, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once they are firm, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.

How long are batch meatballs good for in the freezer?

If properly stored (see the section above titled “How to freeze meatballs”), these meatballs should stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. It is crucial to get as much air as possible out of the container you store the meatballs in before freezing them. Otherwise, they will start to oxidize.

Always take a good look at your frozen meatballs before bringing them back to life. If you notice color changes or ice crystals on the meatballs themselves, it’s probably time to say goodbye to that batch.

Can cooked meatballs be reheated from frozen?

They can! They will just take a bit longer to warm up than they would were you to thaw them first. Use a fork to slice one open and check if it’s hot inside.

Ways to use batch meatballs

There are so many things you can do with these meatballs. Load a few meatballs into a hoagie roll to make meatball subs, smother them in BBQ sauce, or simmer them in pasta sauce and serve them with (or without) pasta. You could even make mini meatballs and throw them in your favorite soup for added protein.

Flavor variations for frozen meatballs

I went with a classic Italian flavor profile here (they are perfect for subs, pasta, and/or soups). Feeling like you want something a little different? I highly encourage you to play around with different herbs and seasonings. Here are some ideas for you.

• BBQ Meatballs
• Greek Meatballs
• Vietnamese Meatballs
• Swedish Meatballs
• Spanish Meatballs
• Teriyaki Meatballs

You can freeze any of these meatballs just as you would the ones in the recipe card below. If the recipe includes a sauce, I recommend freezing the sauce in a separate airtight container.  

How to rewarm frozen meatballs

You can rewarm frozen meatballs in a skillet, in the oven, or in an Instant Pot. Here’s how to do each.

• Skillet method. Add the meatballs to a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with a dash of water, cover, and cook over medium heat until warm. Alternatively, forget the water and cover the meatballs in sauce. Put the lid on the skillet, and simmer until the meatballs are heated through.
• Oven method. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on a baking dish lined with parchment paper and cover them with sauce (if using). Bake at 350°F until heated through. Be sure not to overcook.
• Instant Pot method. Add the meatballs to an Instant Pot and cover them in sauce. If you are opting for no sauce, add about ½ cup of water to the Instant Pot instead. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes before performing a natural release.

Freezer friendly food to save your bacon

Looking for more freezer friendly recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

• Sausage quiche. Bake it up, slice it and leave it in the pan. Wrap and freeze and thaw a slice at a time.
• 5 ingredient taco soup. Add these tiny meatballs to this for an even heartier version!
• Leftover baked potato casserole. This one is great to have on hand. Pile on the ingredients and freeze, then bake covered from frozen until hot.
• Homemade sloppy joe filling. Better than Manwich ever dreamed of being! Make this filling, cool and freeze for fast dinners. Just add it to a pot with a lid and heat on low until thawed.