Trader Joe's frozen meatballs

[scout]

There were recommended to me to use for a quick and easy appetizer. I didn't realize I would have to make my own sauce for them. Any good sauce ideas for this type of meatball?

[Katy]

I love TJ's frozen meatballs. I use them all the time with pasta or to stuff (sliced) in calzones. My favorite sauce is super easy - 1 jar of apricot jelly/jam/preserves and 1 jar of TJ's chipotle chilie sauce (or if you're visiting a regular grocery store, just get either Heinz or the "pot" of chili sauce). Nuke the jelly (no lid) for about 30 seconds to make it liquid, pour in the chili sauce and let simmer with the meatballs (I usually use the crock on low for a couple of hours). Yum!

[Delaney21]

I love TJ's frozen meatballs. I use them all the time with pasta or to stuff (sliced) in calzones. My favorite sauce is super easy - 1 jar of apricot jelly/jam/preserves and 1 jar of TJ's chipotle chilie sauce (or if you're visiting a regular grocery store, just get either Heinz or the "pot" of chili sauce). Nuke the jelly (no lid) for about 30 seconds to make it liquid, pour in the chili sauce and let simmer with the meatballs (I usually use the crock on low for a couple of hours). Yum!

I make a similar sauce, but I use grape jelly instead of apricot.

[scout]

MMM! Thanks! That's just what I was looking for! :)

[ausi2b]

I've used grape jelly and chili sauce. TJ's employee also told me to try bbq sauce and a can of pineapples (using some of the juice). The meatballs are AWESOME! I'll never make them again!

[Rose]

I use them with pasta so I use one of Frances Ford Coppola's sauces. They are so good.

[dandelionbeautiful]

2 c bbq sauce
1 c jellied cranberry sauce
2 T worcestershire sauce

This is a fabulous recipe! I don't remember where I got it but it has become my trademark dish that I bring to get togethers.

[Katy]

Dandelion - do you make them in the crockpot or stove top? Just curious

[dandelionbeautiful]

Dandelion - do you make them in the crockpot or stove top? Just curious

On the stove if I am pressed for time but usually I stick them in the crockpot and let the cook all day.

[scout]

Eek! Cook all day in the crock pot? I'm making the meatballs tomorrow for an event I'm having at 6:30. I get home from work at 3:30, and was going to let them simmer for three hours in the crock pot. Is this not enough time?

[Rose]

I would think 3 hours in a crock pot would be enough time, since they only take 20 minutes on the stove. I don't cook with crock pot often so I could be wrong.

[Katy]

Yes Scout, I'd figure that 3 hours is more than enough. The joy of those meatball recipes is that you basically can't screw it up. A word of advice, whichever recipe you choose, I'd really suggest nuking the jelly/cranberries for about 30 seconds to liquify. I think that really helps to speed up the cooking time.

[dandelionbeautiful]

3 hours is plenty of time, especially if you let the meatballs thaw a little first. It also depends on how many you are cooking. When I make them, I usually make a whole bunch at one time, and freeze some for later. Obviously the more you make the longer its going to take to heat them.

[scout]

I just wanted to say that the meatballs were a bit hit!!!!!!! SO easy and SO yummy! Thank you!

[Rose]

I'm glad they were a hit Scout. I went to a party this weekend and somebody had them in a crockpot with a teriaki sauce and they were so good.