Trader Joe's Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs Review: A Ballsy Move

You know that moment when you're standing in Trader Joe's debating between the frozen aisle and the refrigerated section, asking yourself, "How extra do I want to be tonight?" Enter Trader Joe's Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs. They're pricier than the frozen ones, sure, but they also give big "I made this from scratch, but didn't" energy. With a beefy bite, a cheesy backbone, and enough versatility to star in anything from a pasta night to a meatball sub emergency, these might just be the glow-up your dinner rotation didn't see coming.

Review

Trader Joe's Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs are found in the refrigerated section, not the freezer aisle. This 16-ounce pack includes 12 large, precooked meatballs made with Angus beef, Romano cheese, breadcrumbs, and a blend of herbs and spices. Unlike the frozen meatballs, these are ready to be cooked your way-whether baked, pan-fried, simmered in sauce, or dropped straight into soup.

At $8.99 per pack, these come at a higher price point than their frozen counterparts, but they also offer more flexibility for preparation and serving.

Let's start with the obvious-these are not your average freezer meatballs. The texture is looser, less rubbery, and more like something you'd make from scratch on a good day when you had time to do it right. Each meatball is hefty and well-formed, with a golden sear that suggests they were browned before being packaged.

The flavor is classic Italian-American homestyle. You get the richness of the beef first, followed by a salty, cheesy kick from the Romano. There's a noticeable breadcrumb presence, which gives them a slightly bready interior that holds moisture well. Herbs are subtle but present. Think parsley and maybe a touch of oregano. The onion and garlic are very much present too.

They were moist and juicy no matter how I cooked them. I tried baking and pan-frying, and both yielded solid results. These would do just fine in a red sauce or even in a brothier soup, like Italian wedding. You could also slice these in half for a hearty meatball sub or smash them down into a patty for a fun take on a meatball slider.

Do they beat the value of the frozen ones? That depends on what you're looking for. If you want a quick, inexpensive meatball to drown in sauce, frozen might still be your go-to. But if you want something that feels closer to homemade and can play a starring role on a plate, these are worth the splurge.

How to Serve

• Simmer in marinara sauce and serve over pasta
• Bake and serve with garlic bread and a salad
• Add to a hoagie roll with provolone for a meatball sub
• Drop into wedding soup or minestrone

FAQs about Trader Joe's Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about this product:

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Homestyle Angus Beef Meatballs aren't trying to be fancy, just solid. They're a reliable, beefy base that lets you decide how dressed up or down your meal will be. While they cost a bit more than the frozen options, they taste noticeably better and can hold their own in just about any dish. If you've ever been let down by a meatball that tastes like filler, give these a try instead.

If you're building out a quick weeknight dinner plan, pair these with Trader Joe's Brown Rice or Trader Joe's Soyaki for a twist. If you aren't into spending $8.99 for 12 meatballs, then consider the following alternatives in the frozen section:

• Mini Party Meatballs
• Turkey Meatballs
• Italian Meatballs