Name: Mini Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 2 slices bacon (2 ounces), finely chopped; 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon plain dried breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg; Coarse salt and ground pepper

Mini Meatballs

3.2

(188)

21 Reviews

Small but mighty, these beef and bacon mini meatballs are made ahead and frozen. You can cook them from frozen whenever you need them for dinner.

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on July 18, 2023

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Yield:

These mini meatballs are always a hit. They’re simple to make, freeze well, and can be cooked from frozen—and because they’re small, they cook fast, whether you bake them in the oven or simmer them in sauce.

We use ground beef and bacon for this mini meatball recipe, plus garlic and a little Parmesan cheese for extra oomph. In classic meatball fashion, they come together with egg and breadcrumbs. We love these mini meatballs so much that we make them whenever we have time and stash them in the freezer. Having them on hand means you’re more than halfway to dinner or an irresistible appetizer.

8 Ways to Use Mini Meatballs

Mini meatballs are small but mighty. There are many ways to serve them, from soup to pasta and beyond.

Bake and serve as an appetizer with marinara sauce, honey-chipotle sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Bake and serve with lingonberry jam or red-currant jelly for a Swedish-style dish.
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic for good reason, and works just as well with mini meatballs as with larger ones. Cook the meatballs from frozen in the pasta sauce.
Meatball soup.
Mini meatball sliders.
Mini meatball pizza.
Mini meatball skillet bake.
Mini meatball casserole.

For equal-size meatballs, scoop out the meat mixture using a teaspoon. Use 2 teaspoon scoops for each meatball. Then roll between your palms to shape into balls.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
2 slices bacon (2 ounces), finely chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon plain dried breadcrumbs
1 large egg
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

Combine ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine beef, bacon, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Shape meatballs:

Shape mixture into 40 meatballs.
Freeze meatballs:

Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet or on 2 large plates. Freeze 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag; label and date.

Cooking Mini Meatballs From Frozen

The meatballs can be frozen for up to three months. There's no need to thaw before using; they will cook quickly right out of the freezer. To use the meatballs straight from the freezer:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Alternatively, simmer the meatballs from frozen, covered, in soup, pasta sauce, or other liquid until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Other Meatball Recipes to Make:

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, March 2005

Updated by

Victoria Spencer