Meatballs are a very popular dish throughout the world. They go well with almost anything, be it pasta, curry, sandwich, or even fried rice. However, making meatballs by hand takes up a lot of time and effort which is why you should get a bag of the best frozen meatballs. All you need to do is take them out of the packet and fry them in hot oil. It is an instant dish that can be served at any time of day. Plus, it is quite delicious and loved by many.
Best Pick
Our best pick is the Hormel Compleats Swedish Meatballs with Pasta in Cream Sauce because it can be prepared within just one minute in a microwave. It is a super quick and convenient meal that you can have for lunch or dinner. It is not only delicious, but it is also a low-calorie meal that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home.
Budget Pick
Our budget pick is the Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs because it is healthy, juicy and super tasty. Although these meatballs do not include any meat, they still taste like the regular ones you have at home or at restaurants. These meatballs can be prepared quickly and with little effort. Plus, they are super affordable.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Frozen Meatballs
| Product Name | Meatballs per pack | Weight (ounce) | Calories (per serving) | Sodium (mg) | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hormel Compleats Swedish Meatballs with Pasta in Cream Sauce | 6 | 9.0 | 280 | 990 | A |
| Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs | 8 | 12.7 | 150 | 380 | A |
| Mom Made Meatballs - Variety Pack | 8 | 8.0 | 130-220 | 110-250 | A |
| Nestle Stouffers Entree Swedish Meatball | 12 | 11.5 | 510 | 970 | B |
| Devault Foods Mrs DiFillippo's Italian Meatballs | 80 | 160.0 | 240 | 600 | B |
| Lars Own Swedish Meatballs | 6 | 20.0 | 240 | 490 | B |
| Rosina Home Style Meatball | 8 | 26.0 | 250 | 530 | A |
| Nestle Stouffers Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatball | 12 | 9.13 | 290 | 610 | A |
| Buona's Chicago Italian Meatballs And Marinara | 16 | 32.0 | 150 | 690 | A |
| Midamar Beef Meatballs | 40 | 5.00 | 180 | 770 | B |
1. Hormel Compleats Swedish Meatballs with Pasta in Cream Sauce
The Hormel Compleats Meatballs come in several flavours including Swedish Meatballs, Beef Pot Roast and Beef Stroganoff. Our favourite is the Swedish Meatballs out of all three flavours as it is packed with flavour and offers good nutritional value.
Each serving provides 14 grams of protein and has no artificial ingredients. Other ingredients include chicken stock, the six meatballs that are a mixture of beef, pork and eggs and bread crumbs. Each serving contains 280 calories which are reasonable especially if you keep track of what you consume daily.
In terms of storing the meatballs, you can either opt to keep them in the freezer or stack the packets in your cupboard. This makes the Hormel Compleats Meatballs easy to store and travel with, making it a convenient quick dinner indoors and outdoors.
To cook, simply place the meatballs into a microwave for 1 minute. Puncture a few holes in the lid of the container beforehand to ensure all of the meatballs heat up thoroughly. Be careful as the contents will be very hot, so consider leaving the meatballs out on the table for another minute or so before eating.Pros
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2. Gardein Classic Meatless Meatballs
If you are looking for an easy way to prepare juicy, flavorful meatballs at home, you might want to get your hands on the meatless meatballs from Gardein Classic. It comes in a pack of 8 meatballs that can be cooked within just a few minutes. You can add the meatballs to your tomato sauce to go with your pasta or spaghetti.
The meatless meatballs are mixed with a variety of herbs and spices to produce a delicious taste. Gardein makes sure that no dairy products are added to the meatballs.
The ingredients used do not go against Jewish dietary laws, meaning that the meatless meatballs are kosher food. Moreover, the meatballs come well-seasoned so you do not need to add anything extra while cooking them.
It will not take up much time and effort to cook these meatless meatballs. You can lightly coat the pan with oil and cook the meatless meatballs for about 8 minutes or until they are brown. You need to make sure that the meatballs are fully cooked for the best results. You can cook the item on any stovetop but you might not be able to cook them in your microwave or conventional oven.
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3. Mom Made Meatballs - Variety Pack
Are you craving meatballs but don’t know which type to have? You might be interested in the Variety Pack from Mom Made Meatballs. You will receive a total of 8 meatballs that are super delicious and made in a healthy way. In the Variety Pack, you will receive three meatballs that are made with chicken and apple, three meatballs that are made using turkey meat and, two meatballs that are made with beef and cheddar cheese.
These meatballs taste just like the ones you eat at home. The meatballs are made from antibiotic-free meat which reduces the chances of you indirectly consuming the drugs given to the animals.
Moreover, Mom Made Meatballs does not include a high amount of sodium in its meatballs. If you think that the meatballs lack salt, you can always add more while you are cooking them.
The Variety Pack includes meatballs that are made from safe and healthy ingredients. All the ingredients used are fresh and have a high-quality. No artificial flavorings or preservatives are used in the meatballs. You will not find any colors or additives in the meatballs either. The meatballs go well with pasta, spaghetti, or even noodles. You can also put them on sticks and serve as appetizers during parties or special events.
Since the meatballs are already cooked, it will not take up much time to prepare them. All you need to do is place the meatballs on a microwavable plate and put the plate in your microwave for about 2-5 minutes. You can also heat the meatballs on your stovetop. It may take more than 5 minutes if you are using the stovetop.
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4. Nestle Stouffers Entree Swedish Meatball
If you want to have a quick, easy meal, you might want to check out the Nestle Stouffers Entree Swedish Meatball. It includes rich, creamy fettuccine pasta and delicious Swedish meatballs. The frozen meal comes in a well-packaged tray that is safe to be used in a microwave or even an oven. The Nestle Stouffers Entree Swedish Meatball is enough to fill up one person’s tummy.
You will receive a total of 12 meatballs that need to be cooked thoroughly. You can cook the meal in your conventional or convection oven. You can also cook it in your microwave. However, you cannot cook the meal in a toaster oven. You can serve the dish with salad, mashed potatoes, or even with a glass of low-fat milk.
If you want to cook it in an oven, it is best if you place the tray on the center rack. You should put a baking sheet under the rack and cut holes in the cover so that heat transfer is optimized. You should bake at a temperature of 350° Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. However, cooking time may vary depending on the type of oven you are using.
On the other hand, if you want to cook the meal in a microwave, you need to cut the cover to make room for air ventilation. You should put the heat setting on high for three and a half minutes. Then, you should give it a little stir and cover it again to cook for another five and a half minutes on 50% power mode. If you cook it in the microwave, it will save you less time and effort.
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5. Devault Foods Mrs DiFillippo's Italian Meatballs
These award-winning meatballs by Devault Foods are made with 5 lbs of fully cooked 1 oz of selected cuts of beef and mixed with zesty and rich Italian spices.
To cook, you can either use a microwave or an oven. If you are using a microwave, place the frozen meatballs in a microwave dish and cover and microwave the meatballs on high heat until fully hot and cooked through.
With an oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C), spread the meatballs evenly on an ungreased baking or cookie sheet, then place in the oven until fully cooked through. These meatballs offer 240 calories per serving, 13g of protein and 600mg of sodium, and are made from beef, water, bread crumbs, corn syrup and vegetable oil alongside other ingredients such as soy and milk.
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6. Lars Own Swedish Meatballs
Lars Own is quite popular for its Swedish meatballs. The meatballs have the right amount of spice and flavor that make them one of the best frozen meatballs in the market. The pack includes a total of 40 juicy meatballs that are fully cooked and frozen. This pack is best suited for when you are having a barbeque party or a cookout in your backyard with friends and family.
You do not have to add any extra ingredients as the meatballs are well marinated. Lars Own follows its own original recipe that was passed down from one generation to another. The meatballs will be juicy, creamy, and chewy - just like the ones you make at home or eat at restaurants.
The Swedish meatballs can be served with pasta, noodles, salads, or even fried rice. You can also put them in soups. These Swedish meatballs go well with almost anything. The pack contains 15 grams of protein and 18 grams of fat. Each meatball has a total of 240 calories so watch your calorie intake when enjoying these meatballs from Lars Own.
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7. Rosina Home-Style Meatballs
If you’re looking for quick and tasty meatballs, the Rosina Home-Style Meatball will be ready to eat straight from the packet in 35-40 seconds.
With its mild and versatile flavour, these meatballs offer a well-rounded taste that can be enjoyed by many palettes. The main ingredients are beef, pork, chicken, soy protein concentrate and egg whites, which means this product is not vegan or vegetarian-friendly.
There are several ways to cook these meatballs, and this can be done with a microwave oven, on the stovetop and you can even bake them in an oven. If you would like to use the oven, preheat it to 350°F and place the frozen meatballs in a single layer in a shallow baking tray.pan, then just bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until they're hot enough for your liking.
When using the stovetop, place the meatballs in a pan with your favourite sauce and cover it with a lid. After 20-25 minutes it should be hot enough for you to enjoy. If using it this way, make sure to stir the contents in the pan a few times too. Microwaving the meatballs is the quickest way to eat them, however.
If you choose to cook your meatballs this way, simply place the 6 meatballs onto a microwavable dish and set your microwave on 100% power and cook for 35-40 seconds. Each packet comes with 6 meatballs that all amount to only 270 calories in total.
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8. Nestle Stouffers Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatball
If you are searching for super delicious Swedish meatballs that are easy to cook and prepare, the Nestle Stouffers Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatball might suit you best. It includes a total of 12 juicy meatballs and creamy pasta. It weighs only 9.13 ounces. The Nestle Stouffers Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatball is a complete meal that you have for lunch or dinner. It is not only yummy but it is fulfilling as well.
The Nestle Stouffers Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatball serves one person only and has a total of 290 calories. This is quite a healthy meal as a typical creamy pasta usually includes at least 500 calories.
Both the pasta and the meatballs are made from scratch so everything is fresh and clean. Plus, there are no artificial flavors added to it.
The Nestle Stouffers Lean Cuisine Swedish Meatball comes in a black tray with a film on top. If you are cooking it in a microwave, make sure to cut the film before putting it in. You are instructed to cook the meal for 3 minutes on a high heat setting, give it a little stir, and then cook on a high heat setting for another 1.5 minutes. You can also cook it in your oven at 350° F for 34 minutes.
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9. Buona's Chicago Italian Meatballs And Marinara
What better way to have meatballs than by drenching them in marinara sauce? The Buona's Chicago Italian Meatballs And Marinara comes in a complete package. You will receive 16 meatballs and a rich, marinara sauce that has a super thick consistency.
You can add the meatballs and the marinara sauce to your pasta, spaghetti, noodles, or even to your French bread or pizza. It is super delicious and the two together make a great combination.
The meatballs are made from beef and pork and include romano cheese, ricotta cheese, bread crumbs, and seasonings such as dried parsley, brown sugar, dried garlic, cottonseed oil, and lots more. On the other hand, the marinara sauce is made with vine-ripped California tomatoes, sugar, sea salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil have also been used in making the flavourful marinara sauce.
You can either prepare the meatballs on a saucepan or put them in the microwave. Heating the meatballs on the stovetop will be more time-consuming compared to heating them in the microwave. However, cooking on the saucepan will be more convenient for you if you plan on putting the pasta or spaghetti on it.
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10. Midamar Halal Italian Style Meatballs
The Midamar Halal Italian Style Meatballs offer 2.5 lbs of Italian flavoured meatballs made from beef. They are ready-cooked and are a fantastic option to eat in pasta, sandwiches or as a starter.
The meatballs are all made from Midwestern beef that is 80% lean and is blended with Italian seasonings that you can enjoy on its own or with your own sauce added to it.
Some of the main ingredients included aside from the beef are water, bread crumbs, onions and Romano cheese. The meatballs are not free from wheat, milk, eggs and gluten so please consume these meatballs with caution if you have certain dietary requirements.
In the packet, there are enough meatballs for 40 servings and each serving is 180 calories. Each serving also offers 770mg of sodium and 13g of protein. To prepare, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place onto a baking tray evenly. After you’ve put the meatballs in the oven for 10 minutes, rotate the meatballs around so the heat can cook them evenly and put the tray back into the oven for a further 10 minutes.
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Things to Consider Before Buying Frozen Meatballs
Meatballs have been a staple in many cuisines all around the world and through centuries thanks to its versatility. Whether you're having a weekend barbeque in the sun, inviting your neighbours over for dinner or packing your kid's lunch for school, you can incorporate meatballs into almost any meal with ease.
They're also not just exclusive to meat-eaters. Thanks to the ever-growing trend of veganism and vegetarianism in more recent years, there are meatballs made solely from vegetables now. On top of this, there are halal, gluten-free and non-dairy options available which means you can still enjoy your favourite recipe of meatball-pasta or meatball-sub whilst also considering your faith and/or allergies.
Because there are a wide variety of options available, we understand that choosing the right frozen meatballs can be daunting and confusing. We’ve come up with a list of things to consider that we hope will help you choose the right frozen meatballs for your needs.
Added Ingredients
One of the first aspects to consider when it comes to picking a perfect box of frozen meatballs is the added ingredients that will be put into your beloved meatballs.
Whether that's a whole bunch of extra salt or different kinds of seasonings for various flavours, have a read through the ingredients list before purchasing to ensure you're happy with the meatballs. Make sure you check if any ingredients you may be allergic to are included too.
If you're quite conscious about your health and like to ensure you're not going overboard with certain ingredients like corn syrup or artificial sweeteners, it's always a good idea to, once again, have a look at the ingredients list before purchasing any sort of product.
If you’re quite concerned about the environment and want to preserve the wildlife then make sure you avoid palm oil, for example. This entire section depends on you and your special needs.
You can find the ingredients list before purchasing any product on its Amazon.com page.
Is it Suitable for your Religion/Dietary Requirements?
Not all meat is made and derived equally and this is especially true if you follow particular religions. You must be careful if you're following a kosher or halal diet and check to see if the frozen meatballs you’re considering buying include contents that are halal or kosher.
Aside from this, take note of any allergies you may have. Many frozen meatballs that are available include soy, milk and wheat which could flare-up Celiac disease or upset your stomach if you’re lactose intolerant.
Once again, you can find information about any frozen meatballs’ ingredients by checking the product description on its Amazon.com page.
How to Cook
Each brand and packet of frozen meatballs have differing yet specific instructions on how to cook the meatballs to perfection. From the time it takes to cook the meatballs to the types of kitchen appliances you can use, it’s important to analyse how to cook a packet of frozen meatballs thoroughly as it could make-or-break your choice.
There are usually three main ways you can cook your frozen meatballs, but please make sure you read the instructions on the back of the packet to be sure.
Firstly, you can use a microwave. This tends to be the quickest and most convenient way to heat your frozen meatballs. Simply place your meatballs on a microwavable dish and set your microwave to the recommended amount of time on the back of the packet. Once it is ready let your meatballs sit for about a minute or so to ensure you don't burn yourself, and then enjoy. Microwaves are not only quick but they are also convenient. If you are usually very busy and don't have much time to cook for yourself or tend to be exhausted (and ravenous) after work, this may be a fantastic option for you that requires very minimal effort and can cook up your meal in only a matter of minutes.
Next, you can use a conventional oven to heat your meatballs. Once again, you must read the instructions on the back of the packet to ensure you don't burn your meatballs. Just remember to line each meatball evenly on a baking tray and rotate the meatballs halfway through if you feel it is necessary. Using a conventional oven tends to take 20-30 minutes, however, which may be quite long if you are a busy person. If you're hosting a big dinner party, however, this would be the most efficient method of heating your meatballs as you can add a large number of meatballs into the oven at once.
The third most popular way of cooking your frozen meatballs is on the stove-top with a skillet or pan. Like the other two, simply read the instructions and follow. This probably requires the most effort out of the three, however, and you'll definitely have a heavy skillet to wash up after dinner. The amount of time this will take to heat your frozen meatballs varies on several factors, but it'll probably take around ten minutes in total.
You can also use a grill in some cases but this is not a particularly popular or viable option for most frozen meatballs. Don’t worry if you’re struggling with picking your frozen meatballs, however, as many brands offer several ways that you can cook your meatballs.
Health Benefits
Meat is a great source of protein. Whether you work out at the gym often and are looking to gain some muscle, or want to make sure your body is producing healthy enzymes and hormones, protein is necessary for a balanced and healthy diet.
Depending on the brand of frozen meatballs you’ll get, the amount of protein available in each serving may differ. Most of the meatballs we have mentioned in this article have between 13g - 15g of protein per serving which can ensure you get a sufficient amount of protein into your diet if you eat frozen meatballs regularly.
Depending on how your pair the meatballs, you can enjoy a healthy, well-balanced meal. Meatballs are fantastic with salads or sandwiches that you can add a variety of vegetables. The options are endless with meatballs, making it a meal you won’t have to enjoy on your cheat days.
FAQ
Do I have to defrost the frozen meatballs before cooking them?
There is no need to defrost the frozen meatballs before cooking them. Just take them out of the freezer and cook them on a hot saucepan or you can cook them in the oven or microwave. If you want, you can also thaw the meatballs before cooking them.
How to tell if your frozen meatballs have gone bad?
The frozen meatballs that have gone bad will start to release a bad odor and may change color. The texture might be different, too.
How should I store the frozen meatballs?
It is best if you put them in a ziplock bag and place it in the freezer. You should not keep your frozen meatballs at a temperature greater than zero.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you may feel confused and overwhelmed. After all, picking out a packet of frozen meatballs shouldn't be so difficult, right? But because we're passionate about making sure you pick the perfect product that meets all of your specific needs, we've noted down all of the important factors you should consider that will help you pick the best frozen meatballs for you.
We hope this article has provided you with some information and can help you pick out a fantastic packet of frozen meatballs as easy it is to eat them.
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