Wellsley Farms Meatballs

As someone who loves a good meatball, I was so excited when I first discovered Wellsley Farms Meatballs at my local grocery store. The convenience of having fully cooked, restaurant-quality meatballs ready to eat after just a quick reheating really appealed to me.

But as much as I loved the idea of Wellsley Farms Meatballs, I still had a lot of questions before taking the plunge and buying them. Are they really as tasty as they seem? How are they best cooked and served? Are they healthy and made with quality ingredients?

After doing plenty of research and trying out different flavors and cooking methods, I feel ready to share everything I’ve learned about Wellsley Farms Meatballs! Consider this your go-to guide for buying, cooking, and serving these delicious ready-made meatballs.

An Overview of Wellsley Farms Meatballs

Wellsley Farms is an exclusive brand sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club. They offer a variety of fully-cooked frozen meatballs, including Beef Meatballs, Italian-Style Meatballs (made with a blend of beef and pork), All Natural Turkey Meatballs, and Chicken Meatballs.

The meatballs are pre-seasoned with spices like garlic, onion, and parsley so all you have to do is heat and serve. The beef and Italian-style meatballs are especially flavorful and comparable to high-end restaurant quality.

Wellsley Farms Meatballs are made without any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The turkey and chicken meatballs are great options if you’re looking for meatballs made from leaner meats.

Key Factors To Consider When Buying Wellsley Farms Meatballs

Ingredients

Carefully checking the ingredients list is key when buying any pre-made food product, and Wellsley Farms Meatballs are no exception. Here are the basic ingredients you can expect based on each variety:

• Beef Meatballs: Ground beef, breadcrumbs, water, onion, garlic, eggs, Romano cheese, parsley, sea salt, spices.
• Italian-Style Meatballs: Ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, water, Romano cheese, onion, garlic, eggs, parsley, sea salt, spices.
• Turkey Meatballs: Ground turkey, breadcrumbs, water, Romano cheese, onion, garlic, eggs, parsley, sea salt, spices.
• Chicken Meatballs: Ground chicken, breadcrumbs, water, Romano cheese, onion, garlic, eggs, parsley, spices.

As you can see, the ingredient lists are relatively simple and contain no artificial additives. The Italian-style meatballs have the addition of ground pork while the turkey and chicken varieties contain leaner ground meat.

Nutritional Information

Here are some key nutritional facts to know about Wellsley Farms Meatballs:

• The beef meatballs contain 180 calories and 9 grams of fat per 4 ounce serving. The Italian-style meatballs are 210 calories and 14 grams of fat since they contain both beef and pork.
• The turkey meatballs are significantly leaner at 140 calories and 4 grams of fat per 4 ounce serving. The chicken meatballs are also a healthier choice with 150 calories and 6 grams of fat.
• The meatballs are a good source of protein, ranging from 12-18 grams per serving. The Italian-style and beef have the highest protein content.
• Wellsley Farms Meatballs make a nice gluten-free and dairy-free option for those with food intolerances. They are not certified gluten-free but do not contain wheat ingredients.

Cost Comparison

• Wellsley Farms Meatballs are only available at BJ’s Wholesale Club. A 72 ounce bag of the beef meatballs retails for around $9.99 while the Italian-style are $10.99 for the same size bag.
• The prices are very reasonable especially when compared to other pre-made frozen meatballs. For example, a 64 ounce bag of Perdue Chicken Meatballs is $18.99 at my local grocery store.
• Buying the large bag at BJ’s provides great value for money. You get plenty of meatballs for the price compared to what you would pay for smaller packages at the regular supermarket.

Cooking Wellsley Farm Meatballs – Methods andTimes

Oven Baked

Baking is my go-to way to cook Wellsley Farms Meatballs to crispy, flavorful perfection. Here are some tips:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Arrange frozen meatballs in a single layer and bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
• For crispier meatballs, brush with oil or cooking spray before baking.
• Flipping the meatballs halfway will allow both sides to brown evenly.
• Bake in a tray with sauce to make meatballs in marinara sauce or meatball subs.

Air Fried

An air fryer gives you tender juicy meatballs with a perfectly crispy exterior. To air fry:

• Pre-heat air fryer to 370°F.
• Add desired number of frozen meatballs and air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Brush meatballs with oil or spray for extra crispness.
• Air fryer times may vary based on appliance. Check frequently until meatballs are golden brown.

Sautéed

For a quick stove-top method, sautéing Wellsley Farms Meatballs is fast and easy:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Add frozen meatballs and sauté for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides, flipping occasionally.
• The meatballs will finish cooking through and become piping hot.
• For extra flavor, sauté meatballs in sauce like marinara or brown gravy.

Slow Cooker

Using a slow cooker is hands-off way to cook a big batch of meatballs:

• Add desired amount of frozen meatballs to slow cooker and cover with your favorite sauce.
• Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours until meatballs are cooked through.
• The meatballs will become very tender and soak up flavor from the sauce.
• Toss meatballs with sauce to coat before serving.
• Top meatballs in sauce with shredded cheese and serve over pasta or zoodles.

Microwave

When you’re in a hurry, the microwave provides a quick cooking method:

• Arrange frozen meatballs in a microwave-safe dish and cover.
• Microwave on HIGH in 1 minute intervals, flipping occasionally, until heated through, about 4-6 minutes total.
• Let meatballs rest 2-3 minutes before eating.
• Take care not to overcook or meatballs may become rubbery.

Handy Tips To Get The Most Out Of Wellsley Farms Meatballs

Storage and Shelf Life

• Store unopened bags of Wellsley Farms Meatballs in the freezer until ready to use.
• Once opened, re-seal the bag and use within 1-2 months for best quality.
• Frozen meatballs left in the freezer are good for up to 6 months past the sell by date.
• Thaw meatballs overnight in the fridge or microwave just until slightly thawed before cooking.

Buying and Serving Suggestions

• Stock up when Wellsley Farms Meatballs go on sale at BJ’s for the best deal. Sales run frequently.
• Separate meatballs into smaller portions to avoid waste. Freeze extra portions for quick meals later.
• Cooked meatballs can be frozen in sauce or plain in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
• Wellsley Farms Meatballs make effortless appetizers. Toss in sauce and serve on toothpicks.
• Kids love bite-sized meatballs! Cut larger meatballs in halves or quarters after cooking.

Recipe Inspiration

Wellsley Farms Meatballs shine in all kinds of recipes from classic Italian dishes to creative new flavor combo. They can be the protein in everything from soups and salads to sandwiches and sheet pan dinners.

• For Italian-style, simmer meatballs in marinara sauce and serve over pasta or zucchini noodles.
• Make easy meatball subs by piling meatballs with melted mozzarella on sub rolls.
• Bake meatballs with sliced bell peppers and onions for a sheet pan dinner.
• Skewer meatballs and sliced pineapple for a sweet and savory appetizer.
• Add meatballs to soups like minestrone, tomato basil, or tortellini soup.
• Mix meatballs into rice bowls with vegetables and Greek yogurt sauce.

The possibilities are endless! Wellsley Farms Meatballs let you get creative in the kitchen.

Are Wellsley Farms Meatballs Worth Buying?

After cooking my way through many bags of Wellsley Farms Meatballs, I can confidently say they are absolutely worth buying, especially for the convenience, variety, and value they provide.

The ingredient quality is superior to most brands of frozen meatballs on the market. I love that they are made with simple recognizable ingredients and no artificial additives.

Both the beef and Italian-style meatballs have an incredible savory, juicy flavor. The texture is also just right with a firm outside and moist interior. Whether baked, slow cooked, air fried, or sautéed, they always turn out tender and delicious.

The turkey and chicken meatballs are fantastic options for lighter meals. They have lots of flavor and a pleasing texture akin to the beef and pork meatballs.

While Wellsley Farms Meatballs cost more than basic store brand meatballs, I think the quality and taste easily justifies the slightly higher price tag. The large bags provide plenty of meatballs for your money.

For home cooks like me who want fuss-free, flavorful meatballs with minimal effort, Wellsley Farms Meatballs check all the boxes. They have become a regular staple in my freezer!

Wellsley Farms Meatballs – In Summary

Wellsley Farms Meatballs are pre-seasoned, fully cooked meatballs made with quality ingredients and available in convenient large bags at BJ’s Wholesale Club stores.

The four varieties – Beef, Italian-Style, Turkey, and Chicken – provide options to suit any taste or dietary need. While more expensive than basic store brand meatballs, the exceptional flavor and texture make them well worth the extra cost in my opinion.

These meatballs can be cooked by baking, air frying, sautéing, slow cooking or microwaving with delicious results. They are extremely versatile and can be incorporated into all types of recipes from pasta dishes to sandwiches, skewers, rice bowls and more.

After cooking my way through multiple packages, I’m convinced Wellsley Farms Meatballs live up to their promise of restaurant-quality taste and texture with no artificial additives. Their convenience, variety and quality make them my top choice for store-bought meatballs. They’ve become a freezer staple I enthusiastically recommend!