Make meatball appetizers using frozen meatballs. They are a real time-saver for home cooks. They can be heated up and tossed with sauce to make an easy weeknight dinner or as appetizers on game day. Yet, they are fancy enough to enjoy throughout the Holiday season.
Browse through these simple recipes for cooking meatballs. Each one has a unique flavor. Spice up your next party with a few of these easy recipes. Since you are using frozen meatballs, it just takes a few minutes of prep for each recipe.
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Tired of the same old appetizers?
Give your guests an unexpected twist with meatball appetizers. Here are plenty of ideas on how to serve them with a variety of toppings from creamy garlic sauce to sweet and sour.
Meatball appetizers are a great way to fill up your guests with a delicious tasting protein. When entertaining, I will always have a few varieties of these little bites so my guests can enjoy trying different flavors without overeating.
How do you keep meatballs warm for a party?
Since meatballs can be made in advance, it is essential that they be kept warm for an optimal eating experience. After they are cooked and you are ready to serve your guests, place them in a slow cooker set on low. They will keep warm for several hours. This is my preferred method.
Another option is a chafing dish that normally has a small burner underneath to keep the food warm in the container.
Electric serving dishes often have a few separate compartments to heat your food. Set the temperature on low.
When keeping food warm, give it a stir every so often to keep the sauce incorporated and the contents evenly heating.
How do You Cook Frozen Meatballs?
Using frozen meatballs that have already been pre-cooked is a great time-saver in the kitchen. They can be quickly reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees by baking them. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
If you have time, they can also be placed in a slow cooker and cooked on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Find Your Favorite Meatball Appetizers Using Frozen Meatballs
There are so many meatball choices in the freezer and the options seem to continue to grow. I love using the Italian style meatballs or Homestyle meatballs that use a combination of beef, pork, and chicken. There are even specific meatballs designed for Swedish meatballs. If you prefer a lighter meat chicken or turkey meatballs might be a perfect fit for you.
You can also make your own meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. When you need to make a quick snack, dinner for the family or Holiday party, they will be ready for the recipe when you are.
Meatballs are a family favorite, it is easy to find your favorite sauce.
Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
Grape Jelly Slow Cooker Barbecue Sauce Meatballs is easy to make in the with only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep! Take these to a party and they will disappear quickly.
Get the full recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
Slow Cooker Swedish Meatball Recipe
This slow cooker Swedish meatball recipe is made using frozen meatballs, so it goes together in just minutes. The results are tender meatballs surrounded in a savory creamy sauce.
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3 INGREDIENT SLOW COOKER PINEAPPLE TERIYAKI MEATBALLS (CHICKEN, BEEF, PORK, OR VEGGIE)
Three ingredient Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs are made in the slow cooker & so easy. These meatballs make for the ideal savory party appetizer or easy dinner idea.
Get the full recipe for Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs
Cranberry Sweet And Sour Slow Cooker Meatballs
Cranberry Sweet And Sour Slow Cooker Meatballs cook themselves in your slow cooker. Store bought frozen meatballs simmer in your crockpot with just 4 more ingredients for a deliciously saucy appetizer or main dish recipe.
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Crockpot Apple Butter Meatballs with Bourbon
Full of warm spices and just a hint of sweetness, this is a super easy recipe with a completely unique flavor that is perfect for game day, fall gatherings, or Thanksgiving. Crockpot meatballs are perfect for any occasion.
Get the full recipe for Crockpot Apple Butter Meatballs with Bourbon
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
This Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs recipe is a super easy recipe made with just five ingredients. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or main dish, it will serve a crowd.
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Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Cranberry meatballs are the perfect amount of sweet and savory that gets everyone talking, and the slow cooker does all the work for you in this delicious recipe.
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Creamy Garlic and Mushroom Meatballs
These simple creamy garlic and mushroom meatballs can be made in a slow cooker and easily served as an appetizer for any occasion.
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Meatball Sub Bites for an Easy Appetizer
These Meatball Sub Bites are a fun twist on the classic sub. They’re not nearly as messy, but every bit as good. They’re also great for game day, holidays, and potlucks, too.
Get the full recipe for Meatball Sub Bites for an Easy Appetizer
Grape Jelly Meatballs
These 3-ingredient grape jelly meatballs are easily made in your slow cooker for the perfect party recipe that will go quickly at any gathering.
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Jalapeño Jelly Meatballs
These are a really good to bring to a potluck or to serve as a party appetizer (without the rice) or are great for dinner (if you serve over rice).
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Maple Meatballs Recipe
This Maple Meatballs Recipe for the slow cooker is perfect for busy nights or try it as an appetizer. You’ll love how easy they are to make.
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BBQ Meatball Appetizer
Take these to a party and they will disappear quickly. The combination of grape jelly paired with the BBQ sauce is absolutely amazing when used with our favorite meatball appetizer.
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Bourbon Meatballs Recipe
Frozen meatballs get a flavor boost with this homemade bourbon sauce. Easy prep let’s you cook everything in the slow cooker for a delicious hot party appetizer.
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Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce
These Meatballs with Grape Jelly and Heinz Chili Sauce are tender, juicy and flavorful appetizer meatballs that are super easy to make for a party.
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Nashville Hot Chicken Meatballs
Nashville Hot Chicken Meatballs being the heat to your next party. These hot and spicy chicken meatballs are tender, delicious, and easy to make in the crockpot.
Get the full recipe for Nashville Hot Chicken Meatballs
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Cranberry Meatballs are made by slow-cooking frozen meatballs in a sweet and tangy homemade cranberry sauce. So easy to make, these delicious little meatballs are the perfect holiday or party appetizer.
Get the full recipe for Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet and Sour meatballs are made with frozen meatballs pineapple and peppers with a delicious homemade sauce.
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Slow Cooker Party Meatballs
Slow Cooker Party Meatballs are a favorite appetizer at just about any gathering. This is a super easy recipe you are almost sure to make over and over again.
Get the full recipe for Slow Cooker Party Meatballs
What to Serve with Meatballs
What are you going to serve with meatballs? You could go for old standbys like spaghetti and garlic bread. But why not try something new this time, like Southern Potato Salad or a Asian Ramen Cabbage Salad? With so many options, it’s tough to know what will work best. That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded a few up our favorite dishes that go great with meatballs. Try one of these recipes tonight.
- Potluck Noodle Salad
- Mango and Tomato Salsa
- Baked Beans
- Honey Butter Corn
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Kool-Aid Pickles
Serve the meatballs by themselves with their various sauces or put them over rice, pasta, or potatoes. You can stuff them into a meatball slider or meatball sandwich.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.