How to Cook Frozen Raw Meatballs

5 from 1 vote

This guide will show you several ways to cook frozen meatballs so that they are cooked all the way through while still being tender and juicy.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Course: Dinner Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 158kcal

Author: Erica Schramek

Ingredients

12 frozen meatballs
28 oz favorite sauce

Instructions

Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes until they are cooked through.
For more even browning, turn the meatballs halfway through the baking time.

Stove Top

Pour your favorite sauce into a large frying pan.
Add the desired number of frozen meatballs and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes.

Slow Cooker

Add sauce and meatballs to the slow cooker or crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
Add the meatballs in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Cook for about 10 minutes turning the meatballs halfway through the cooking time.

Microwave

Place the meatballs in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover with sauce.
Cover the dish but leave a small gap for the steam to escape. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Stir and test for doneness. Continue cooking in 30-second intervals until the meatballs are fully cooked.

Notes

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to make cleanup easier.

These cooking methods will work for ground beef, chicken, pork, or vegan meatballs.

If you are cooking precooked meatballs, any of these cooking methods will work. You may need to reduce the cooking time.

When cooking raw meatballs you want to make sure they are fully cooked before serving. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Cook meatballs until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook times will vary depending on the size of the meatball. Little meatballs will cook faster than larger meatballs.

Want to speed up the cooking time? Thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

Nutrition