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Italian Meatballs

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Italian Meatballs with Ricotta and Basil, super easy freezer meal!

I haven’t really talked much about menu planning on the blog. Which is kind of crazy because I am so all about it. I have shared my love of lists with you before, so you can only imagine how detailed I get with the menu planning. I am curious, do you do it? Do you plan everything out to a T? Do you prep meals before or do you just wing it?

Italian Meatballs

This is a photo I shared on Facebook a few months ago. The caption read, “This, plus everything in my oven is what it takes to feed us for one week. That sweet man will eat me out of house and home.” That still holds true. The amount of food that it takes to feed us three meals+snacks for 7 days is astounding.

For a long time, most of the way through college and after we graduated I had most of our meals prepped ahead of time. During the week I went to class, then straight to work at a retail position, closed the store, came home for dinner then homework, then did it all again. There was no time for cooking. But If I had something like a casserole ready to go I could get Mr. Maebell to pop it in the oven and we were good to go. So, while our meals may not have been that creative it kept us fed.

Italian Meatballs with Ricotta and Basil, super easy freezer meal!

One of my favorite things to make ahead of time was Italian Meatballs. They were fairly inexpensive, quick to make, they froze well and on recipe made about 60 smallish meatballs. I would just pull a handful out of the freezer and set them in my smallest crock pot with some marinara and come home to a big pot of perfect piping hot meatballs and marinara. These are of course perfect with pasta, but we also love them on pizza, or as a meatball sub.

Italian Meatballs with Ricotta and Basil, super easy freezer meal!

I was actually hesitant to even share this with you because it is so darn easy. I don’t add breadcrumbs or anything like that. These are just pure and simple meatballs. Meat, spices, herbs, and ricotta to keep them nice and moist. It is something you can throw together in a matter of minutes and it makes busy nights so much easier.

Italian Meatballs with Ricotta and Basil, super easy freezer meal!

 

Yields 10

Italian Meatballs with Ricotta and Basil

5 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground italian sausage
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup packed chopped fresh basil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Mix all of the ingredients well. This is easiest with a stand mixer, but will also work well if you use your hands.
  3. Roll mixture into small tablespoon sized balls and place on a large greased baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned.
  5. This makes approximately 60 small meatballs. They can be stored in the freezer.
7.8.1.2
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https://www.maebells.com/italian-meatballs-with-ricotta-and-basil/

 

 

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Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Sounds like you have your meal planning down pretty good! I do plan our meals for the week, but usually don't prepare anything ahead of time, unless it's a casserole or marinade, something along those lines. These meatballs sound delicious! I love all of the ingredients in here. I'm not a huge fan of breadcrumbs in my meatballs either, so I like that you don't include them here. I think my husband would love this! And served with a side of pasta or rice would be a fantastic meal!
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      Thank you Gayle! I actually made these a week or two ago and yesterday I pulled a couple out of the freezer and out them on a wrap with pepperoni, mozzarella and some chopped meatballs and we dipped it in marinara. Holy cow. SO GOOD!! These meatballs make good "man pleasing" meals! ha!
      Reply

  3. marcie@flavorthemoments says

    I plan ahead and I wing it…both. Mostly the latter, unfortunately. I always say I want to be more organized, but I guess I'm too unorganized. :) I don't make meatballs enough, and I really need to fix that because we all love 'em! These look delicious!
    Reply

  4. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    You are so super organized and on top of everything! You've totally inspired me to start doing more prep on my free days. That would save me so much time on busy weekdays. This meatballs sound delicious! Now I must try making meatballs with ricotta. I bet it makes them so flavorful and moist. Yum!
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      Yay Natalie! I am so glad! I really do think it helps cut down on cost and time. Even if you just wash and chop all your produce that cuts down on a ton of time for making salads to take for lunch, and throwing different vegetables in dinner. I also think we eat a bit healthier when I prep everything ahead of time instead of just grabbing something fast and less healthy.
      Reply

  5. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    Oh my gosh, you are so organized! I am insanely jealous. I have a bad feeling of what our dinner situation will be like once my mat leave is over and I have to go back to work...I should really start planning ahead like you! Your meatballs look amazing, I bet that Italian sausage and the ricotta gives them so much flavor!
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      It really does make the week easier! If I have a pretty good plan ahead of time I can usually get the prep work done in under 2 hours, but then you are done for the whole week! :)
      Reply

  6. Mir says

    Wow. I'm so impressed by your prep work and organization! I make a ton of lists, but I haven't reached your level of preparedness. Can you come over and be my life coach? These look delicious. I love the ease and the spices!
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      Oh Mir your so funny!! :) If I didn't do this I think I would be a wreck during the week. I am so tired after work sometimes I just don't have the energy to do anything major, this makes life so much easier!
      Reply

  8. Crystal | Apples & Sparkle says

    I always mean to set aside some time to make some freezer ready-made meals, but I just never seem to get around to it. I am the type that religiously plans all my meals for the week, doing my shopping from Friday to Friday. I don't prep anything ahead of time, but I AM mentally prepared, I am horrible if I walk into the store without a plan, my mind goes blank.
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      ME TOO! If for some crazy reason I forget my list, I just have to go home and get it. I cannot shop without a list. I spend too much money and buy things we don't need!
      Reply

  9. Danielle says

    I love menu planning for the week! I love making lists, they make me feel so much more organized. I love these meatballs too! Any kind of Italian dish is always a winner in my book.
    Reply

  10. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says

    Looks like you have the meal prep under control. It also always amazes me how much food it takes to feed the three of us as well. I love the take on these meatballs. I bet they freeze really easy as well. These will make an awesome lunch for my 6 year old.
    Reply

  14. Leah | So, How's It Taste? says

    Yay fellow list lover! I'm such a list maker and planner, however the funny part is I don't do it with meals much. Since it's just me, I usually fly by the seat of my pants or eat a lot of leftovers. These meatballs have me craving them with a big pile of spaghetti and lots of garlic bread!
    Reply

  16. Isadora says

    Again, you make me feel so unorganized, haha! I just realized how much of a non-planner I am. I always try to have lots of rice and pasta on hand and a few vegetables, but usually don't figure out what I am making for dinner until I get home from work. It would probably be much better if I planned ahead more though, because I usually end up with a lame breakfast and an even lamer lunch because I have to grab something fast before I run out the door. I love that you added ricotta to the meatballs, I bet they are so good!
    Reply

    • Maebells says

      I am glad this is coming off as organized and not "type a" hahaha!! I am just not good at rolling with it. I have to have a game plan! I wish I could be a bit less organized. Like the other night my husband asked for something specific for dinner, which is totally not a big deal in the real world, but the whole time I was thinking. "Oh dear, I have all of our meals organized by expiration date, this is really throwing me off!" :)
      Reply

  18. Katie says

    You are so good to be so organized with your meal planning. I really need to work on my organizational/meal planning skills. Love this meatball recipe, simple recipes are always the best!
    Reply

  20. Kelly says

    Wow, way to go, that's awesome how organized you are with your meal planning:) I wing it and prep ahead of time but lately it's sad to say that I've been mostly winging it. These meatballs look delicious! The ricotta must give them such amazing flavor! Sounds terrific!
    Reply

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