Kitchen Tip Tuesdays: Meatballs in bulk, for the freezer

Last week, I sat down and made some lists of things I want to do before our new baby is born. I survived the first several months of pregnancy with just doing the minimum, and while I still wouldn't say that I usually feel the greatest, I have been pushing myself to tackle some larger projects which were so helpful to have done before the birth of our last child! :)

Ground beef was on sale at a local grocery store, so I bought enough to make meatballs for the freezer. I'm down to just one or two packages of meatballs from the last time I made them, and it really is so handy to have them already done and in the freezer! I cook some pasta and use my home-canned spaghetti sauce for a quick meal of spaghetti and meatballs. :)Â

First, I got my ingredients ready. I had 9 pounds of meat, and was using this recipe. I actually used the food processor for all the onions and garlic, since it's easier to make meatballs when the onion is chopped very finely. And, when making such a large amount of something, it's more worth the time to wash the food processor afterwards. :)

Next, I started mixing. I used a spoon as long as I could, but I did use my hands at the end. The meat wasn't too cold, thankfully! ;)

Now, for the rolling. I rolled lots of meatballs. Let's just say that after about the 200th meatball, I was pretty glad I had decided to "only" do 9 pounds of meat!

I put my meatballs on lightly-greased cookie sheets, and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. They turn out great, and it's so much easier than trying to cook them on the stovetop.

I drain the baked meatballs on cooling racks and/or on paper towels. I was limited on counter space that day (lots of canned pumpkin still sitting around!) so I just stacked up the meatballs.

When the meatballs were cool enough, I started filling my Food Saver bags for the freezer. Here you can see the difference in size between an open bag and a vacuum-sealed bag! :) The amount shown in the bags above is enough for two full meals for us. I did a few bags with smaller amounts, as well.

Meatballs, all ready for the freezer! :)

Last step: labeling and dating each package. These all stacked neatly into my freezer, and I'm guessing I now have about a year's supply of meatballs. That might sound like a long time, but the vacuum-sealed bags keep the food really well, and we've actually found that certain foods (meatballs and pepperoni, for example) taste even better when they've been frozen for a few months! :)

To participate in Kitchen Tip Tuesdays: Post a kitchen tip in your blog, with a link to this post. Then come here and add your name, tip subject, and URL to this post! Links must be family friendly, as always. If you don't have a blog but would still like to share a tip, just leave a comment here with your tip! Everyone's ideas are appreciated. :) Note: Please link to your individual post, not your blog's main/front page! Thanks for participating! :)

Kitchen Tip Tuesdays Participants

1. Willa - Meal Swap
2. Hope Is the Word
3. AmyG (Crock-Pot Cooking)
4. Debbie J. (Be Prepared)
5. Shirley (Waking Up to a Clean Kitchen)
6. LeeAnn (Do-ahead Cinnamon Rolls
7. Milehimama (meal planning from the freezer)

8. Janelle@ Now Play Happy (Thanksgiving Host Planner)
9. Stephanie (Make Your Own Spices)
10. Rachel (baking rice)
11. Joanne peeling onions
12. Mrs Pear (Cleaning Dough Bowls)
13. Caroline @ New Little Blessing (Cookie Dough)
14. Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home (bakign with honey)

15. Our Red House (homemade scented spray cleaner)
16. Erika (butternut squash)
17. Western Warmth (leftover frying oil?)
18. Bethany Sue @ CFOMoms (kids\' fridge items)
19. mama (putting up pumpkin)
20. jennifer (leftover pizza casserole)

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Bulk meatballs -- comments

Submitted by Tammy on Sun, 2007-12-16 03:02.

WOW
Submitted by mama
You have such GREAT ideas!! I am definately trying this if i get pregnant again! In fact you inspired me so much lately that I put up some pumplin!! Come check it out on my blog:)
I love love your positive attitude...your blog is definately a favorite of mine!

Submitted by Tammy
Awww, thank you. :) Your pumpkin looks great!! You should put a link to that post in the Kitchen Tips link box. ;)

Homemade Scented Spray Cleaner
Submitted by Anonymous
I have just posted a recipe for homemade multi-purpose cleaner scented with essential oils. It is much more economical than similar products that you can buy. It also smells delicious.

My first Kitchen Tip Tuesday and a brand new blog!
Submitted by Anonymous
Hi Tammy!

I found your blog through Crystal's Money Saving Mom blog (I think), and I've been hooked ever since. I love to cook, too. Last night I made your oven roasted chicken (thank you so much for this recipe!) and your cheesy potatoes, and both were hits. I just started a blog yesterday, and I participated in Kitchen Tip Tuesday today. Thanks for all the inspiration!

good idea
Submitted by Anonymous
I've never made meatballs for the freezer. Do you freeze them cooked? Sounds like a great idea.

Frozen meatballs
Submitted by Tammy
Yes, they're fully cooked before I freeze them. :)

Kitchen Tip
Submitted by Anonymous
This is my first Kitchen Tip Tuesday. I usually can't think of anything. Maybe this one will be helpful. Thanks.

meatballs
Submitted by ShannonLynn
I just did this same thing a few days ago. I only made 5 pounds of meatballs though. Great minds think a like I guess. :) We just moved so I've been restocking my freezer and pantry with all the mixes from Make-a-Mix. I love this book. Today I'm going to be making a supply of spaghetti seasoning mix and taco seasoning mix.

Shannon

Submitted by Anonymous

You make me really want a Foodmaster! The meatballs look good!

me too!
Submitted by Kristy
I do the same thing! I never make just one pound of hamburger patties or one pound of meatballs, I make a bunch and put them in the freezer!

I had never thought of using the food processor for the onions and garlic though, that is great!

And I would LOVE a food saver! It saves an incredible amount of space in the freezer, and probably keeps freezer frost and burn away too!

Kristy
Col 3:23-24
http://mrspear.blogspot.com/

Question
Submitted by Jules
Is there a food saver you would suggest? I see them all the time on tv, but never knew if they *really* worked or not. Or they work, but food still gets frost burned etc.

Kristy, I notice if I use glad's press n seal, I don't get the frost burn look. Along w/the freezer bags from Glad or Ziploc. (non zipper tho)

Vacuum sealing devices
Submitted by Tammy
Jules, We have a Food Saver (brand) vacuum sealer and it does work really well. The bags are thick and keep food well. The bags aren't cheap, so I don't use them for "just anything", but more for things like my bulk cooking foods that I plan to keep frozen for many months. :)

I don't know about the other brands, though! I think Joshua bought ours at Wal-Mart before we were married. I wonder if they've come down in price in recent years...? :)

Good reminder
Submitted by Anonymous
I haven't been doing that enough lately (making large batches of food to freeze). It saves so much time, hassle, clean up, etc. Thanks for the post and for hosting.

Stephanie

must do
Submitted by Lilyofthevalley
I must make up some meat ball, now that we ahve some beef in the freezer! :) Having food handy after the baby is born is a big blessing. I didn't get anything frozen ahead of time this time around. ~Tanya

I'll have to check!
Submitted by Jules
Thanks Tammy!

Has anyone used them to keep foods in the refrigerator longer? (like cheese or lettuce)

Food saver uses
Submitted by Tammy
I'm sure food savers would be great for keeping cheese... lettuce, I'm not as sure, since it might get bruised during the suctioning...?? The sides of the Food Saver box list TONS of uses, but I don't bother using it for everything. :)

Submitted by simplbrandy
Wow! I'm going to have to do this next time we have meatballs. I'm always concerned about cooking them through and then all that grease they soak up in the skillet. Thanks for this excellent tutorial. :-)

Leftovers, leftovers, LEFTOVERS!
Submitted by Anonymous
love your blog :o) we made your caramel the other day, too. it was fabulous!

Microwave
Submitted by Jules
I always made my meatballs in the microwave, w/some water in the bottom. I might have to try this way!