If you are looking for the best way to cook meatballs from frozen, I think you are at the right place. Because in this article, we will instruct you on how to cook frozen meatballs in 5 different ways

1. How To Cook Frozen Meatballs on Stove

Ingredients

  • 1 bag of frozen meatballs ( pre-cooked )
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the frozen meatballs to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they are browned on all sides.

Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet, along with the garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the meatballs simmer in the tomato sauce for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

Once the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, transfer them to a shallow dish and serve them hot.

2. How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 package of frozen meatballs ( pre-cooked )
  • 1 can of crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a baking dish or casserole dish, spread a thin layer of crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce to coat the bottom.

Arrange the frozen meatballs in a single layer on top of the sauce.

In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well then sprinkle the herb and spice mixture over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Next, pour the remaining crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce over the meatballs, covering them completely.

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or a lid.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through.

Remove the foil or lid and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the meatballs to brown on top.

Once cooked, remove from the oven and let the meatballs cool for a few minutes before enjoying

3. How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 bag of frozen meatballs ( pre-cooked )
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup barbeque sauce

Instructions

Begin by preheating the air fryer at 380° F for 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, brush olive oil, and barbecue sauce on top of each frozen meatball.

Next, arrange the frozen meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Air fry for 15 minutes. At 4-5 minute intervals, carefully shake the basket to flip the meatballs.

Finally, remove them into a bowl and serve the air-fried meatballs on top of pasta or noodles. 

4. How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot

Ingredients

  • 1 bag of frozen meatballs ( pre-cooked )
  • 1 jar of marinara sauce ( 15oz )
  • 1 tbsp dried herb blend ( optional )
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan/mozzarella cheese ( optional )

Instructions

Open the bag of frozen meatballs and transfer them into the crockpot.

Add the marinara sauce and herb blend. Mix well to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce.

Close the lid and cook on low for 4 hours. If cooking on high, the meatballs will be done in 2.5 hours.

After the meatballs are cooked, unlock the lid and sprinkle the cheese on top. Lock the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes more on low until the cheese melts.

Finally, serve warm on top of white rice garnished with some freshly chopped cilantro.

Notes: Besides marinara, you can use other gravy or sauces such as spaghetti sauce, stroganoff, or bbq sauce. Furthermore, if you don’t have sauce, you may use half a cup of water or chicken/vegetable stock.

5. How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in Microwave

Ingredients

  • 1 package of frozen meatballs ( pre-cooked )
  • 1/2 cup of your favorite marinara sauce

Instructions

Place the frozen meatballs in a microwave-safe dish, arranging them in a single layer.

Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent to allow steam to escape.

Microwave on high power for about 4-6 minutes, or according to the cooking time indicated on the packaging of the meatballs. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of meatballs as well as the wattage of your microwave.

Carefully remove the dish from the microwave and allow the meatballs to cool slightly before serving.

6. Best Way To Cook Frozen Meatballs?

All five of above methods are effective at cooking frozen meatballs, so it really comes down to personal preference and the time and appliances you have available.

However, my recommendation would be to use the air fryer method. Air fryers provide an efficient cooking method for frozen meatballs that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It also allows for easy customization of flavors with the addition of seasoning or sauce.

Now, you know how to cook frozen meatballs that taste better. After reading this article, we hope that you will have delicious hot meatballs for severe with rice or pasta. Good luck

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Julia Jane is a home cook inspired by her mother's cooking. With the desire to share my cooking experiences with everyone, she created this website

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