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Frozen meatballs are a popular semi-finished product that will be a great helper for any housewife. How to cook it properly and which cooking method is best suited?
Meatballs: Pros And Cons
Manufacturers make meatballs from different types of meat: pork, beef, and chicken. The main component of the semi-finished product is meat. However, for the better safety of the product, they add preservatives and harmful additives there.
The meat composition of meatballs allows the product to have a positive effect on the human body. Experts note the following beneficial properties:
- a high content of nutrients (B vitamins, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, phosphorus)
- promoting bone strengthening
- strengthening of immunity
- help in weight loss
- preservation and gain of muscle mass
- prevention of anemia
- improving brain function
- maintenance of the thyroid gland
However, preservatives due to the addition of various additives, meatballs can also harm the human body:
- increased cholesterol levels in the blood
- violation of the balance of microflora
- allergic reactions
- weight gain
- deterioration of the digestive system
- saturation of the body with harmful trans fats
Semi-finished products contain a large number of food additives. The most dangerous of them is sodium glutamate. This substance enhances the taste of the dish and makes it more saturated. To avoid ingestion of sodium glutamate in the body, carefully study the composition of the dish.
How Long To Cook Frozen Meatballs In The Oven
You should defrost the meatballs before the cooking process. They will become soft and cook faster. Defrost the product at room temperature. Place the meatballs in boiling water. Count down 20-25 minutes from the moment the water boils again.
Can You Cook Frozen Meatballs Without Defrosting?
You can cook meatballs without defrosting, but it will take more time. A lot depends on the composition of the meatballs. Ground beef is cooked longer than chicken or turkey. The average cooking time of meatballs without defrosting is 25-30 minutes.
If you choose beef, increase the cooking time by 5 minutes. The main thing is not to cook the product for too long, otherwise, it will lose its shape.
​​Can You Cook Frozen Meatballs In A Frying Pan?
Cooking is not the only way to cook meatballs. You can also fry them in a frying pan. To do this, fill the semi-finished product with water, add spices and simmer under the lid. The cooking time will also depend on the composition of the semi-finished product.
If you do not add water, then frying meatballs will take place in olive or vegetable oil. This will increase the caloric content of the product and saturate it with additional harmful fats.
How To Cook Frozen Meatballs In The Oven
You can also cook frozen meatballs in the oven. This is the most useful and healthy way. Professional chefs advise baking a semi-finished product with vegetables. You can cook cauliflower baked with meatballs. To do this, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- meat broth — 375 ml
- cauliflower – 1000 g
- curry – 0.5 teaspoons
- sour cream – 150 g
- salt – 1 pinch hard
- cheese – 150 g
- frozen meatballs – 16 pcs
step-by-step cooking technology:
- Defrost the meatballs at room temperature.
- Prepare a baking dish, add the meat broth there.
- Preheat the oven, place a baking tray with broth there and add meatballs and cauliflower. Add curry and other spices as well. The baking time is 20 minutes.
- Serve meatballs with sour cream and cheese.
How To Cook Frozen Meatballs In Sauce
To make the semi-finished product juicier – cook it in the sauce. For the usual frying of meatballs, you will need to spend 20-25 minutes. If you decide to make a sauce, stick to the following steps:
- Pour olive oil into a frying pan and heat it up.
- Place the meatballs there and fry over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, until a crust appears.
- To make the sauce, add a little water, 1 teaspoon of starch, and flour to the pan.
How To Cook Frozen Meatballs On The Stovetop
There are other ways to cook meatballs on the stove. The most beneficial option is stewing under the lid. The caloric content of the product will be low – only 152 kcal per 100 grams of the product.
You will need the following ingredients:
- frozen meatballs – 6 pieces
- vegetable oil – 1 teaspoon
- drinking water – 200-250 ml
- tomato paste — 3 tablespoons
- sugar – 1 teaspoon
- bay leaf – 1 piece
- salt – 0.5 teaspoons
- spices and spices
step-by-step cooking technology:
- Grease the pan with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Place the frozen meatballs in a frying pan.
- Pour tomato sauce over the meatballs, add spices, spices, and salt.
- Put a bay leaf in a frying pan and pour in drinking water. Bring the contents of the pan to a boil over medium heat.
- Cover the pan with a lid and simmer the meatballs for 20 minutes.
Frozen Meatballs In The Oven With Marinara Sauce
Professional chefs advise cooking frozen meatballs in marinara sauce. Italian sauce makes the semi-finished product juicy and tender. Prepare the necessary ingredients:
- meatballs
- chili pepper – 2 teaspoons
- fennel seeds – 2 teaspoons
- sour cream – 0.5 tablespoons
- parsley, dill
- grated parmesan – 1 tablespoon
- vegetable oil
To prepare marinara sauce:
- canned tomatoes – 1 jar
- olive oil – 4 teaspoons
- onion – 2 pieces
- garlic – 10 cloves
- sugar – 3 teaspoons
- carrots – 3 pieces
- water – 4 cups
- basil
step-by-step cooking technology:
- Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the pan and heat it up.
- Fry the meatballs until crisp for 3-5 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan. Add onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sugar, and salt to taste.
- Stir in the carrots and add salt again. Fry for about 2 minutes, then add the canned tomatoes.
- Cook the sauce for 45 minutes. Add the basil leaves and sprinkle with parmesan.
- Put the meatballs in the marinara sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Turn off the stove and let the dish rest for a few more minutes before serving.
How To Make Frozen Meatballs Taste Better
The best way to improve the taste of meatballs is to add the necessary spices. The main thing is to choose seasonings so that they do not interrupt, but improve the taste of the dish.
Professional chefs advise the following options:
- turmeric mustard seeds
- thyme
- cumin
- rosemary
- cloves
- oregano
- basil
- coriander
- nutmeg
You can also improve the taste of meatballs with tomato paste, cream, or sauces. Fresh or dried herbs are also perfect for meatballs.
How To Cook Frozen Meatballs In The Microwave
You can defrost meatballs in the microwave. Place the semi-finished product in a baking dish. Loosely cover the mold with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel and heat at high temperature for two minutes. Stir the meatballs, close the lid, and heat for another minute until they warm up.
You can also use the defrost mode. In just 10-15 minutes, the meatballs will become soft and juicy. This method has one significant drawback – you have to eat the dish immediately after cooking.
The microwave works according to the principle of radiation exposure. The second time this radiation will simply destroy the structure of the dish.
Benefits Of Boiling Meatballs Before Frying Them
Experts say that the best way to cook meatballs is by boiling. This process allows not only to defrost but also to prepare the product. This cooking process does not increase the calorie content of meatballs, as it occurs without the addition of vegetable oil.
It gets hot at higher temperatures, which causes the oil to burn. With high heat treatment, the oil releases many harmful substances.
Best Way To Cook Frozen Meatballs
Everyone chooses the best way to cook meatballs for himself. Experts say that the most beneficial way is stewing and cooking. Also, the choice of cooking method depends on the duration.
If you want to cook a dish as quickly as possible – choose a microwave or a slow cooker. The sharpness and brightness of the taste can be provided by the frying process.
Frozen Meatballs In A Crockpot Recipe
You can cook raw meatballs in a crockpot. To start the cooking process, thaw them first. Thanks to this method, you can cook meatballs without bbq sauce or a baking sheet. Prepare the necessary ingredients:
- meatballs
- potatoes – 5 pcs
- onion – 1 piece
- champignons – 400 g
- greens (dill and parsley)
- cream – 300 ml
- hard cheese – 100 g
- allspice sweet
- salt
- paprika
step-by-step cooking technology:
- Cut onions, fresh mushrooms, and fresh herbs (dill and parsley).
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into small pieces.
- Place sliced potatoes and fresh herbs in clay pots.
- Put frozen or fresh meatballs on the greens.
- Fry the chopped onion and mushrooms in a frying pan.
- Sprinkle the mushrooms with grated cheese.
- Cover the crockpots with lids. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place the crockpots there. You will receive a fully cooked product in 60 minutes.
Meatballs: Substitutes And Variations
Professional chefs identify several substitutes for frozen meatballs that can perfectly replace the product. Among the best options are cutlets and small chops. You can also buy these products frozen in any store.
The cooking technology will be practically no different from cooking meatballs. However, due to the difference in the size of the products, the cooking time may vary. Cutlets will take longer to cook than meatballs and chops.
Common Tips
Professional chefs highlight some tips that will help you cook meatballs the best quickly and without problems. Here are the most common:
- Defrost the meatballs at room temperature naturally.
- If you are cooking meatballs with sauce or soup – keep an eye on the liquid level. It should not exceed the height of the meatballs.
- If you are preparing semi-finished products on a baking sheet in the oven, spread the meatballs on a single layer on a baking sheet.
Necessary Equipment
To cook meatballs, prepare the necessary equipment. It will vary depending on the selected cooking method. You may need a saucepan, a frying pan, a baking tray, a deep bowl for defrosting, as well as baking sheets. Spatulas for turning meatballs and paper for draining excess oil will also be valuable.
Closing
Frozen meatballs are a versatile dish that will help you in moments of a heavy workload at work or school. You will be able to cook the dish quickly and easily. You do not need to make minced meat in advance and make a form for cutlets.
Many people worry about the harmful properties of the product because meatballs can contain high amounts of sodium glutamate and other harmful additives. To avoid dangerous effects on the body, carefully study the composition of the product on the label and carefully choose the manufacturer.
Meatballs will help saturate your body with beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The composition of meatballs depends on the meat from which they are made. Among the most common substances: iron, zinc, phosphorus, and B vitamins.
These nutrients will help strengthen the immune system, prevent anemia, improve the functional ability of the brain and improve the condition of the skin and nails. Meat is also the best source of natural protein. However, do not forget that meatballs are a high-calorie product that can contribute to weight gain.
The method of preparation greatly affects the quality of the product. Professional chefs claim that the healthiest way to prepare such a product is stewing. So meatballs will not interact with butter and will not increase their caloric content.