Frozen meatballs are one of those ingredients that make dinner feel manageable. They’re reliable, easy to work with, and save time without sacrificing the end result. You don’t need much to turn them into a full meal, whether it’s pasta, soup, or something baked. These recipes show just how versatile they can be and why it makes sense to keep a bag on hand. They’re practical, fast, and help you get dinner on the table without much effort.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Frozen meatballs, sweet pineapple, and crisp veggies simmer in a homemade sauce that tastes way better than takeout. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and works great over rice for a dinner that feels pulled together without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Mexican Meatball Soup
A comforting soup packed with flavor thanks to pantry staples and frozen meatballs. The rice adds body, the broth is rich, and the whole thing is perfect for when you want something hearty but still easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Meatball Soup
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs
Dump the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the rest. The teriyaki glaze clings to the meatballs and tastes like you did way more work than you actually did. It’s great for weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs
Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
The slow cooker handles everything here, leaving you with meatballs in a creamy sauce that’s perfect over noodles or mashed potatoes. It’s a no-stress way to make a meal that still feels like comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
Swedish Meatball
This quick stovetop version gets meatballs on the table fast with a creamy sauce that’s rich and flavorful. It’s great for nights when you want a classic dinner without waiting around for the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatball
Tomato Ramen Noodles with Meatballs
A fun mash-up that uses frozen meatballs and ramen noodles for a fast and unexpected dinner. The tomato broth brings everything together and makes this feel like more than the sum of its parts.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Ramen Noodles with Meatballs
Cream of Mushroom Meatballs
Cream of mushroom soup gives this dish its savory base while frozen meatballs keep things simple. Add some garlic and sour cream, and you’ve got a family dinner that’s both easy and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Mushroom Meatballs
Instant Pot Spaghetti
Throw everything—yes, even dry pasta—into the Instant Pot and let it cook itself. This is one of those dinners that’s barely any work but still gets you spaghetti and meatballs on the table in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti
Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
These sliders use frozen meatballs and bake up in one pan. They’re fast, fun to eat, and a great dinner for busy nights or casual get-togethers when you still want something hot and filling.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner
Frozen meatballs and jarred sauce team up in the Instant Pot to give you a dinner that practically cooks itself. It’s a solid go-to when you’re short on time but still need to feed a hungry crew.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Let the slow cooker handle the heavy lifting on this one. You’ll end up with meatballs in a creamy sauce that’s great over egg noodles or mashed potatoes and fits perfectly into a low-effort dinner plan.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs
Salisbury Steak Meatballs
These meatballs channel the classic Salisbury steak flavor, but in a way that’s way less work. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Meatball Pasta Bake
Layer pasta, sauce, and meatballs in a baking dish and let the oven do the rest. It’s easy, hearty, and the leftovers actually taste better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake
Crock Pot Buffalo Meatballs
Buffalo sauce gives these meatballs just enough heat without overpowering them. Toss everything in the slow cooker and serve them on their own, over rice, or stuffed in a roll for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Buffalo Meatballs
Slow Cooker Meatballs
With only three ingredients, this one’s as low effort as it gets. Toss frozen meatballs in a slow cooker with sauce and come back later to dinner already done.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatballs
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Pasta, frozen meatballs, marinara, and cheese bake together in one pan for a meal that requires no boiling, no stirring, and barely any cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Sweet and Sour Meatballs Crockpot
Toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and let them cook low and slow. The result is meatballs coated in a sticky, tangy glaze that works well with rice or even just a fork.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Meatballs Crockpot
Slow Cooker Meatball Stroganoff
This one’s perfect when you want something creamy and filling without a lot of effort. Everything goes into the crock pot, and by dinnertime, it’s ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatball Stroganoff
Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs
A one-pan dinner that gives you everything you want from a classic meatball meal without turning on the oven. The frozen meatballs make it weeknight-friendly, and cleanup is a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
