Pulling together dinner after a busy day of work, errands, an extracurricular activities can be difficult. You’re probably tempted to just order a pizza or hit up a drive thru on the way home from picking up the kids from their various practices. But doing that regularly isn’t great for your health—or your wallet. Instead, consider one of these 3 quick and easy meals that you can make in minutes with frozen, fully cooked meatballs.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Who says meatballs have to be served over pasta in an Italian-style dish? Instead, before you head out to the kids’ various activities, dump those frozen meatballs into the crockpot along with a sauce made with the following ingredients:
- 1 can of pineapple chunks (with juice)
- 1 Tbs cornstarch
- ¼ C ketchup
- 3 Tbs soy sauce
- 3 Tbs brown sugar
- ¼ C chopped sweet pickles (with 2 Tbs of juice)
Pour the sauce all over the frozen meatballs and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or until the meatballs are fully heated through. Then, serve over rice for a delicious and hearty dinner that only took minutes to prepare.
Meatball Sub Casserole
Of course, meatball subs themselves are an incredibly easy meal. Just heat up the meatballs, set them on a bun, and top with sauce and cheese! But if you’re looking for something a little different, consider making this classic meatball meal into a casserole.
Start with a loaf of Italian bread from your grocery store’s bakery. (Trust us, you want the good stuff. Your sandwich bread just won’t cut it.) Slice the bread and spread one side with mayonnaise, then sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Arrange the bread, standing upright, around the edge of a glass casserole dish.
Dump the meatballs in the center and top with spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle everything with the chees of your choice. (We recommend a combination of mozzarella, Italian blend, and parmesan.) Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve with the meatballs on top of the bread, with extra sauce for dipping.
Meatball Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese itself is already an easy meal. Add frozen meatballs to it, and you’ve got an easy meal that’s even more filling! We recommend making your own spaghetti, instead of a boxed variety. Try using 16 ounces of penne pasta with Alfredo sauce, then add a combination of provolone, mozzarella, and Havarti cheeses, with a bit of milk to thin out the sauce. This will make a creamy and delicious macaroni and cheese that you can add those meatballs to for an amazing meal.
Frozen, fully cooked meatballs are a great staple to have in your home for a variety of quick and easy meals. From the classic spaghetti to these more adventurous recipes, meatballs can make an excellent addition to many dishes. Be sure to grab some frozen meatballs on your next grocery store trip so you can give these fast and delicious recipes a try!
