The pros: Trader Joe's Italian Style Meatballs are quick, easy and fast from freezer to microwave and finished in 5 minutes. Two or three meatballs are filling.
The cons: Greasy and not the most flavorful meatballs you'll ever have.
The verdict: For $3.99 this is matter of convenience. If you are running short on time this is a good item to leave in your freezer in case of emergency, lack of meal prep, you don't like handling raw meat, or time in general is a problem. They're decent meatballs, but don't expect it to taste like your Nana would make. They're good for what they are, freezer meatballs. I found mine to be a bit greasier than I would like, but being that making time to cook meatballs (when I'm the only one in the house who will eat them) it is a bit of a waste of time, effort, and freezer space, this is a good option for me. Worth a try, but don't expect to be wowed by them.
The bag of Trader Joe's Italian Style Meatballs in the freezer aisle:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get (mine went into the microwave):
Would I buy this again? I'd leave a package of Trader Joe's Italian Style Meatballs in my freezer. They were good, but nothing special. They're not going to be Nonna's meatballs ever. But for freezer meatballs they're alright. They are a bit greasy but if you cover them in sauce it will all blend together. Decent buy and worth a try.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
RossC says
Your take on these meatballs is spot on... I keep these on hand for the convenience of not having to make a batch when a few will do.. I keep 8oz cans of marinara sauce in my pantry.. When I want a quick pasta or meatball sandwich, I heat the sauce along with garlic and Italian seasonings, drop in the frozen meatballs and let them do their thing.. Toast a bun (for sandwich or to sop up the pasta sauce) or boil a bit of pasta and you're done.. Open a TJ salad to complete the meal..
Cynthia June says
I agree with RossC (comment before mine). These are THE best frozen meatballs available to shoppers on the market. Not only can we take out just what we need - if living alone, this is a great option for not wasting food! - but the flavor of Trader Joe's meatballs is surpassed by none.
My friends and family members agree these meatballs are as good as Grandma Yolanda's (shhhh!), she's a full-blooded Italian. I come from a small fishing town on the coast of southern California where half of the town is also full-blooded Italian, and where we boast the best cultural diversity in people and restaurants in California. People come from all over the U.S. to eat at our restaurants, even Jimmy Carter has dropped in on our soon-to-be-famous Whale and Ale, one of the soon-to-be-famous eateries there. My dining experiences are vast and in many cultures of culinary cuisine. That said, my opinion does matter and ought to be listened to.
These meatballs are the best choice in frozen foods for their quality and price.
Thank you for bringing Trader Joe's to the attention of those who have only passed by its doors!
Bon Appetit!
becomebetty says
Hey Cynthia! Welcome to BecomeBetty! Your opinion and thoughts is always welcome here. Stop by any time. I love hearing what people have to say. Thanks again for sharing!
Steven says
Well, I am 62 yrs. old, and have made or eaten most every meatball in sauce I could try. Except for my step grandfathers homemade meatballs; These are the absolute best I have ever tasted. That includes eateries from Florida to New York. I routinely use Sprouts' garlic tomato sauce to stew them in. OMG they are my fave....I try not to eat red meat for heart healthy purposes, but these are my weakness.
becomebetty says
Hey Steven! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and extensive experience on these. Glad to hear you love them so very much.
Alyssa says
10000% agree with this, they are good for frozen meatballs. I keep them on hand for when needed but if someone served me homemade or restaurant meatballs and they tasted like this I would be disappointed
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing!