This question strikes fear and anxiety into the hearts and minds of parents everywhere. Maybe you don’t have a dinner plan, or maybe you’re just tired of fixing the same old stuff and hearing the same old complaints. Whatever the reason, it’s time to change up the pattern. The solution? Frozen meatballs.
Frozen Meatballs: Your Dinnertime Game Changer
If you’re ready to make dinners at your house something special without making them extra work, pick up a bag or two of frozen meatballs at the grocery store this week. You’ll be amazed at what you can do with really good frozen meatballs. Here are a few ideas:
Jazzed-up Spaghetti: Toss some meatballs – still frozen—into your favorite spaghetti sauce and let them simmer while you cook the pasta. By the time your noodles are perfectly al dente, you’ll have tender, delicious meatballs and a flavorful sauce.
Effortless Subs: Meatball subs are a family favorite, and they whip up fast and easy when you start with high-quality frozen meatballs. Again, simmer meatballs in a good marinara, jarred is fine, until the meatballs are heated through. Meanwhile, brush sub rolls with olive oil and Italian seasoning and lightly toast them under the broiler. Toasting the rolls first prevents them from getting soggy. Place about 4-5 meatballs in each roll, spoon with sauce, and top with mozzarella cheese. Place under the broiler again until the cheese melts. Yum.
New Noodles: Spaghetti isn’t the only noodle you can pair with meatballs. Serve your family delicious bowls with ramen noodles and meatballs. While meatballs are heating in the oven, prepare ramen noodles, boil a few eggs, and slice a jalapeno and a few radishes. When the meatballs are done, place noodles, meatballs, chopped veggies, and fresh cilantro in the bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top along with salt and pepper to taste. Voila! A restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.
Sweet and Savory: Meatballs pair beautifully with sweet, savory, Asian-style sauces. If you need a break from spaghetti, try subbing in rice and saucy meatballs this week. You can make your own sauce or used your favorite prepared sauce. Cook the meatballs according to package directions (air fryers work well and fast), and cook your rice. When the meatballs are done, toss them in a pot and cover with sauce until the sauce is heated through. Serve meatballs alongside rice with a few sliced green onions over the top for a meal that looks every bit as good as it tastes.
Now, the next time someone asks, “what’s for dinner?” you can confidently answer, “Meatballs!”
