Stupid cooking/freezing question

[mla2177]

I want to make homemade meatballs (I've made several times), but this time I want to freeze them. I usually fry them in olive oil then stick them in a crockpot with sauce to cook all day. My question is..............do I fry them first then freeze them, or do I just roll them into a ball and put them in the freezer?

 

[ToTLaugher]

According to 30 Day Gourmet you should cook them first. Hope that helps!

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I do this all the time. Cook them first. If you don't, then when they freeze, they'll stick together, and by the time they thaw when you want to use them... big pile of mush. You can put frozen (cooked) meatballs directly in the crockpot with your sauce without ever thawing them. Just give them a little extra time to cook!

BTW... this was not a stupid question.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We do this all the time. We make them and put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. When frozen we put them into bags. We bake them before using. We freeze them raw. The cookie sheet trick make them all individual frozen meatballs.

 

[my3kids]

Anytime you are freezing something, lay each piece out individually on a cookie sheet to freeze. Then transfer to a freezer bag. As long as they are pre frozen, they won't stick together.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

Anytime you are freezing something, lay each piece out individually on a cookie sheet to freeze. Then transfer to a freezer bag. As long as they are pre frozen, they won't stick together.

This is a good point. It's just easier for me to cook them when I cook the first batch, I guess!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

There's a big thread on cooking/freezing meals on the Budget board you should check out. Sorry, I don't know how to post a thread or I would!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you want to have them fried in olive oil as part of your recipe, I wonder if it would be better to fry then freeze.

I would just do it both ways and see which way you like best.

 

[Regina]

I used to fry my meatballs. Now I pre-cook them in the microwave. You'll be amazed at how they turn out and it eliminates such a big mess (and getting splattered with flying grease.)

I've frozen them after they've been pre-cooked and after I've simmered them in sauce. Either way, they come out great.

 

[mla2177]

Thanks everyone! I would have done the whole cookie sheet thing, but I have a small freezer that is jammed packed. I guess I will fry then freeze!