This Freezer Meatballs Recipe is a staple in our household. They are super simple to make and it’s easy to double the batch. I am always stocking up the freezer with them because my family loves them so much. You can eat them on a sandwich, with pasta, or just by themselves! They are delicious!
Easy Freezer Meatballs Recipe
First, preheat your oven to 375˚. Then, chop up 1 medium onion in a small dice. You will most likely be crying by the time you are done…but these meatballs are totally worth a good cry.
Add 2 lbs. of ground beef, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, and the diced onion to a large mixing bowl.
Add 3 Tablespoons of tomato paste.
Then, add 3/4 cup of plain bread crumbs.
I like to add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. I love the little bit of heat it brings, but you can leave this out if you like. Or you can add even more if you like things extra spicy!
Next, add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 Tablespoon of dried basil. You can just add them straight to the mixing bowl with all of the other ingredients. I just thought they all looked pretty in this little white bowl.
Now it’s time to get messy! Combine all ingredients until mixed well. You can use a spoon if you like, but I think your hands work the best to get everything incorporated.
Then, shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a well greased baking sheet. I like to line mine with aluminum foil and then spray the foil with cooking spray.
Bake them for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Freezer Directions:
This Freezer Meatballs Recipe is so easy to freeze. Just let them cool completely, put in a freezer safe zip lock bag and place in the freezer. When you are ready to eat, let them thaw in the refrigerator and heat as needed. You can reheat them in the microwave, oven, or in a pot of sauce on the stove top. So easy!
Below is a printable recipe card. Enjoy!
Freezer Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion finely diced or pureed
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl add in your 2 eggs and lightly beat them with a fork or whisk. Then add to bowl the 2 lbs ground beef, 1 diced or pureed onion, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp dried basil and your 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Mix to combine either using your hands or a strong mixing spoon.
- Shape into 1-1/2 inch balls and place on parchment lined rimmed baking sheet, spacing at least 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) apart.
MAKE IT NOW
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake meatballs in preheated oven for 20 minutes or no longer pink inside. Let cool 3-4 minutes, then serve.
MAKE IT A FREEZER MEAL
- Place baking sheet with raw meatballs into freezer and flash freeze until hard, about 1 hour. Transfer frozen meatballs to a labeled gallon sized freezer safe bag. Seal bag, removing as much air as possible. Place in freezer and freeze until ready to cook.
COOK FROM FROZEN
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs in preheated oven for 30 minutes or no longer pink inside. Let cool 3-4 minutes, then serve.
COOK FIRST, THEN FREEZE & REHEAT
- If you'd like to cook them first and then freeze them, bake them at 400° for 20 minutes or until no longer pink inside, then allow to cool completely. Add to gallon freezer bag, seal bag and freeze. To quickly reheat just remove a 1-2 out of bag and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes and serve as desired. Or place in oven and bake until warmed through.
Notes
Nutrition
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Jenny says
May 20, 2019 at 7:15 pmIs there a reason these need to be thawed before reheating and store bought meatbslls don’t? Just made my first batch!
Karrie says
May 22, 2019 at 12:19 pmNope, just changed up the instructions to give more options. If you cook them ahead first you can toss into the oven and warm them up from frozen. 🙂
Bee says
March 25, 2019 at 5:48 amThese sound delicious, so much tastier than the store bought kind and so versatile to use in recipes!
Caroline says
March 3, 2019 at 7:16 pmTasted great from the oven. Even my picky 12 year old enjoyed these. My 7 year old asked to take some for his lunch tomorrow. Only half made it to the freezer. Thanks for the great recipe going to make this often.
Janelle Mentha says
September 23, 2018 at 10:55 pmI made these the other day in preparation for our baby’s arrival. They almost didn’t make the freezer though… I had to stop myself from eating too many 😂
These will definitely be a regular at our house… yum!
Anna says
September 22, 2018 at 1:49 pmThank you so very much,I love the PRINTABLE REC? option . It’s similar to my way doing meatballs,but your way taste much better & I love the idea of baking instead of slaving by the stove & dealing with all the Greece on the stove & cleaning the greedy frying pans .
Now I will freeze it for future dinners & sandwiches. Yum yum yum
TP says
September 9, 2018 at 5:39 amWhat would you suggest to use in stead of the tomato paste? My husband has a sensitivity to tomatoes.
By the way, you have inspired me – I can’t wait to get started!!
Karrie says
September 10, 2018 at 1:00 amYay! you will love making ahead freezer meals!! Maybe just leave it out – I can’t think of anything else to sub.
Melinda says
September 1, 2018 at 4:49 pmI only have Italian bread crumbs (parsley, garlic, and grated cheese are all added). Should I adjust the recipe to reflect this?
Jennie @ WikiHumidifier.com says
July 27, 2018 at 10:22 amThis is one of the finest and most valuable information regarding different kinds of recipes. I have visited different kinds of articles of this website. Hope my friends must like this website because it help to understand the way of make the dish easily at home.
TAYLOR says
June 19, 2018 at 1:47 pmWhat sauce did you put on these in the picture with the cast iron? Thanks!!
Ashley Watson says
August 16, 2016 at 10:05 amThanks Karrie Easy Freezer Meatballs Recipe share with us. Great Thinking
Albert Golfer says
December 13, 2015 at 6:35 amI really love this site. Help me a lot for me choosing. Thanks!
Rosa Andrews says
November 5, 2015 at 2:06 amVery details with high quality images. I will try to make it follow your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Susan @ Pick My Humidifer says
August 21, 2015 at 8:11 pmMeat ball <3 I love meat ball, i eat it with pasta, rice and many more, always the best <3 Thank for your recipe, it look soooo tasty
Melissa @ Oil Diffuser says
June 30, 2015 at 2:37 pmOMG! this is such an yummy dish! love it.
Happy.MoneySaver says
June 30, 2015 at 9:47 pmSo glad you liked it as much as I do!
Brandy says
June 17, 2015 at 10:46 am1. I love the vintage pyrex.. I collect and love.
2. Perfect recipe for summer. I’ve been looking for easy meals to whip up after we have been playing outside ALL. DAY. LONG. I’m from texas, but live in Wisconsin and I’ve learned to savor every second of summer 🙂
3. Love your website.
Jennifer says
June 7, 2015 at 2:47 amIt is really easy to do. I think its taste is really delicious b’cuz of many ingredients. I love it….
jessica says
June 4, 2015 at 11:01 amHi Karrie, do you flash freeze these? ive heard a lot about flash freeze a lot of foods so they are easier to pull out one by one if needed?? By the way I love your page I came across it a while back and now im into freezing EVERYTHING!!!
Happy.MoneySaver says
June 4, 2015 at 2:33 pmYes, you can flash freeze these meatballs to make them easier to pull out individual servings by freezing them first on a cookie sheet individually for about 20 minutes and then adding them to a freezer bag. I am so glad you like the freezer meals–they have changed my life, too!
Hof ter Zielbeek says
June 3, 2015 at 3:15 amHi Karrie, this is a mouth watering recipe. Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe. 🙂
April R says
June 1, 2015 at 10:45 amI found a great ground beef sale and will add these to my freezer. Thanks for sharing!
Angele Duval Belanger says
June 1, 2015 at 9:50 amCan’t wait to try! you rock!!!