Name: Easy BBQ Meatballs
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lb. frozen meatballs ((use the smaller size- about ½ ounce/meatball)); 1 bottle of barbecue sauce

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My granny always made these meatballs as a snack before family dinners and everyone loved them! I finally asked her how she made them and was shocked to learn it was just frozen meatballs and barbecue sauce! Appetizers don’t get any easier and they are so yummy! Use your slow cooker or your stovetop if you’re in a bit of a hurry. Either way, you can’t go wrong serving up these easy BBQ meatballs!

Juicy meatballs in bbq sauce served on a white plate with a fork, perfect for savory appetizers.

Serves: varies
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: slow cooker – 2 hours, stovetop – 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 lb. frozen meatballs (use the smaller size- about ½ ounce/meatball)
1 18 oz. bottle of barbecue sauce (I like to use one that isn’t too thick such as Stubbs or Sticky Fingers – can’t go wrong with sweet heat!)

Italian style meatballs, packaged for cooking, on a white wooden surface with a slow cooker and barbecue sauce. Perfect for easy comfort food recipes and meal prep.

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Directions:

Step 1: Add the meatballs to a slow cooker and pour the barbecue sauce over top (use about 1 bottle of sauce for every 2 pounds of meatballs).

BBQ sauce being poured over frozen meatballs in a slow cooker ready to cook.

Step 2: Stir and set the temperature to high. Cook for about 2 hours or until meatballs are heated through. Stir and serve with toothpicks for an easy appetizer!

Step-by-Step Stovetop Directions:

Step 1: Add the meatballs to a large saucepan or pot and pour sauce over them. Stir to thoroughly coat the meatballs.

Step 2: Heat pan over medium low heat and cover. Stir every few minutes. Cook for about 30 minutes or until meatballs are heated through. Enjoy!

Tips:

This is my go-to recipe when I need an appetizer for a large crowd! I’ve served this at multiple family weddings by using a 5 pound bag of frozen meatballs and 2-3 bottles of sauce. It’s always a hit!
My kids love these so much, they sometimes eat them for lunch! They’re amazing just as they are or add a hoagie and cheese for a simple meatball sub!

Easy BBQ Meatballs

Slow cooker or stovetop, you can't go wrong serving up these easy BBQ meatballs! Appetizers don't get any easier and they are so yummy!

Beth

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 30

Slow Cooker: 2

Servings

Ingredients

2 lb. frozen meatballs (use the smaller size- about ½ ounce/meatball)
1 bottle of barbecue sauce (I like to use one that isn't too thick such as Stubbs or Sticky Fingers – can't go wrong with sweet heat!)

Instructions

Slow Cooker Directions:

Add the meatballs to a slow cooker and pour the barbecue sauce over top (use about 1 bottle of sauce for every 2 pounds of meatballs).
Stir and set the temperature to high. Cook for about 2 hours or until meatballs are heated through. Stir and serve with toothpicks for an easy appetizer!

Stovetop Directions:

Step 1: Add the meatballs to a large saucepan or pot and pour sauce over them. Stir to thoroughly coat the meatballs.
Heat pan over medium low heat and cover. Stir every few minutes. Cook for about 30 minutes or until meatballs are heated through. Enjoy!