Easy & Delicious Bacon & Breakfast Sausage Meatballs: Your Ultimate Meal Prep Solution

Transform your morning routine with these incredibly simple yet profoundly satisfying Bacon and Breakfast Sausage Meatballs! Perfect for efficient meal prep, they ensure you have a nutritious and flavorful breakfast ready to go for the entire week. Imagine waking up to a delicious, protein-packed meal without any fuss – these meatballs make that a reality. Combining the savory richness of bacon with the hearty goodness of breakfast sausage and a blend of fresh vegetables, these meatballs are not just easy to make but also incredibly versatile.

Say goodbye to boring breakfasts and hello to a customizable meal that will keep you energized and satisfied. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent on the go, or simply someone who loves delicious food, these breakfast meatballs are about to become your new favorite make-ahead breakfast. Get ready to enjoy a stress-free start to your day!

You might also enjoy our Butternut Breakfast Meatballs, our savory Breakfast Meatloaf, and our classic Homemade Breakfast Sausage for more fantastic morning meal ideas.

Why Breakfast Meatballs Are a Game-Changer for Meal Prep

Meal prepping is all about efficiency and making healthy eating sustainable. Breakfast meatballs stand out as an ideal meal prep component for several compelling reasons:

• Unmatched Versatility: Unlike many breakfast options, meatballs can be paired with an endless array of sides. This means you can enjoy them daily without experiencing meal fatigue, keeping your mornings exciting and flavorful.
• Perfectly Portioned: Each meatball is a convenient, bite-sized serving. This makes portion control effortless, whether you’re counting calories or simply aiming for balanced macros. Just grab the desired number and you’re set.
• Freezer-Friendly: One of the biggest advantages of these meatballs is how well they freeze. You can prepare a large batch and freeze them either before or after cooking. This ensures you always have a wholesome breakfast on hand, reducing the temptation for less healthy, last-minute choices. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you for this foresight.
• Time-Saving & Stress-Reducing: Weekday mornings are often a rush. Having a pre-cooked breakfast eliminates decision-making and cooking time when you’re at your busiest. A few minutes to reheat, and a nutritious meal is served, freeing up precious time for other morning tasks or a moment of calm.
• Customizable for Any Diet: Naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and high in protein, these meatballs can easily fit into various dietary plans such as Paleo, Keto, or Whole30, depending on your choice of sausage. They also allow for easy addition of vegetables, boosting their nutritional profile.

We are masters at meal prep! Check out all of our favorite meal prep recipes to simplify your week!

The Simple Goodness: Ingredients You’ll Love

Crafting delicious breakfast meatballs starts with high-quality ingredients. Our recipe focuses on a blend that delivers robust flavor and satisfying texture without unnecessary complexity. Here’s a closer look at what makes these meatballs so special:

• Bacon: Diced bacon bits are essential, providing not just a burst of smoky, salty flavor but also a delightful textural crunch. Cooking them first ensures they become crispy, adding a fantastic layer to the meatballs.
• Ground Breakfast Sausage: The foundation of our meatballs! We recommend a good quality ground breakfast sausage. If you’re feeling ambitious, our homemade country breakfast sausage is a fantastic choice, allowing you to control the seasonings and ingredients. Many people freeze their homemade sausage in convenient 1lb batches, making it super easy to grab and go for recipes like this.
• Fresh Vegetables: To add depth, moisture, and a boost of nutrients, we incorporate finely diced onion, mushrooms, and shredded parsnip.
  • Onion: Contributes a foundational savory note that enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Mushrooms: Offer an earthy umami flavor and help keep the meatballs moist.
  • Parsnip: A less common but brilliant addition, parsnip provides a subtle sweetness and a tender texture when cooked, complementing the savory meats beautifully. It’s also a great way to sneak in extra vegetables!
• Sage Leaves: Fresh sage is the quintessential herb for breakfast sausage. Its warm, aromatic, slightly peppery notes elevate the entire dish, giving these meatballs that authentic, comforting breakfast flavor we all crave. Finely dicing the leaves ensures the flavor is evenly distributed throughout each bite.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a well-balanced and incredibly tasty breakfast meatball. Using fresh, quality components will truly make a difference in the final product.

Mastering Your Breakfast Meatball Recipe: Tips & Tricks

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few key tips can ensure your breakfast meatballs turn out perfectly every time:

• Pre-cook the Bacon: Cooking the bacon first until it’s partially crispy before adding it to the meat mixture is vital. This step renders some of the fat and develops that desirable crunchy texture, preventing the meatballs from becoming greasy and adding a layer of flavor that can’t be achieved otherwise. Drain excess fat for a cleaner finish.
• Fine Dicing is Key: Whether you’re using a food processor or dicing by hand, ensure the onion, mushrooms, and parsnip are very finely minced or shredded. This allows them to integrate seamlessly into the meat mixture, cook evenly, and prevent large chunks of vegetables from dominating the texture of the meatballs. A food processor with a grating attachment is a real time-saver here!
• Combine by Hand: The best way to thoroughly mix all the ingredients without overworking the meat is to use your hands. Gently but firmly combine the sausage, bacon, vegetables, and sage until everything is just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tougher meatballs.
• Uniform Meatball Size: Aim for consistently sized meatballs, roughly the size of an oversized golf ball. This ensures they cook evenly in the oven, preventing some from being undercooked while others are overdone. Using a small cookie scoop can help with uniformity.
• Don’t Skip the Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper is crucial for easy cleanup and prevents the meatballs from sticking. It also helps them brown beautifully without burning on the bottom.
• Monitor Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on your meatballs during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. They should be golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). If they seem to be browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.

Following these simple tips will help you create a batch of breakfast meatballs that are perfectly cooked, flavorful, and ready to enjoy.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Breakfast Meatballs

The true beauty of these bacon and breakfast sausage meatballs lies in their versatility. They can be the star of your meal or a delicious accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes. Here are some expanded ideas to keep your breakfast exciting throughout the week:

• Classic Egg Pairing: Serve them alongside perfectly scrambled, fried, poached, or soft-boiled eggs for a protein-packed and satisfying traditional breakfast.
• Vibrant Green Salad: For a lighter yet fulfilling meal, enjoy your meatballs over a bed of fresh greens like spinach, arugula, or mixed salad leaves. A drizzle of a light vinaigrette or a dollop of your favorite healthy dressing completes this fresh option.
• Cauliflower Rice Bowl: Create a hearty and low-carb breakfast bowl by combining the meatballs with cauliflower rice and a generous portion of sautéed greens. Add some avocado slices for healthy fats.
• Sweet Potato Hash: Pair them with a vibrant sweet potato hash, featuring diced sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions, for a naturally sweet and savory combination.
• Avocado Toast Twist: Slice the meatballs and serve them atop gluten-free toast with mashed avocado, a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick.
• Savory Yogurt Bowl: For something truly unique, try them with a dollop of unsweetened Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative, seasoned with a pinch of salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
• Breakfast Burrito or Wrap: Crumble the meatballs and combine them with scrambled eggs, salsa, and cheese (if desired) in a whole-wheat tortilla or a large lettuce wrap.
• Stuffed Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and stuff them with crumbled meatballs, a little rice or quinoa, and bake until tender.
• With Fermented Foods: The original recipe suggests spinach, kraut, and blueberries – a unique and delicious combo! The tang of sauerkraut offers a wonderful contrast to the rich meatballs, while blueberries add a touch of sweetness and antioxidants.
• In a Power Bowl: Combine your meatballs with a variety of roasted vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, cherry tomatoes), a scoop of quinoa or brown rice, and a drizzle of olive oil for a complete and balanced meal.
• With Sautéed Greens: Simply serve them with a large portion of quick-sautéed spinach or kale seasoned with garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice for a quick, healthy side.

The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to customize your breakfast to your mood and dietary needs every single day.

Meal Prepping and Storage: Maximize Freshness and Flavor

These Bacon & Breakfast Sausage Meatballs are champions of meal prep, making your week significantly easier. Proper storage is key to maintaining their freshness and flavor. Here’s how to do it:

Refrigeration Best Practices:

• Cool Completely: Before storing, ensure your cooked meatballs have cooled down completely to room temperature. Placing warm food directly into the refrigerator can raise the internal temperature of the fridge, potentially affecting other foods and encouraging bacterial growth.
• Airtight Containers: Transfer the cooled meatballs to an airtight container. This prevents them from drying out and absorbing odors from other foods in your fridge.
• Duration: When stored correctly in the refrigerator, these breakfast meatballs will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days.

Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment:

Freezing is where these meatballs truly shine, allowing you to extend their shelf life significantly and have a healthy breakfast ready for weeks to come.

• Option 1: Freeze Cooked Meatballs:
  1. Arrange cooled, cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  2. Flash freeze them for 1-2 hours, or until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
  3. Transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
  4. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Option 2: Freeze Uncooked Meatballs (Best for Freshness):
  1. Form the raw meatball mixture into balls as directed in the recipe.
  2. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze until solid.
  3. Transfer the frozen raw meatballs to a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag.
  4. When ready to cook, bake them directly from frozen, adding an additional 10-15 minutes to the baking time, or until fully cooked and browned. This method often yields a fresher texture upon cooking.

Effortless Reheating Methods:

• Oven: For best results, especially if reheating a larger batch or aiming for crispiness, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place frozen meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. If thawed, 10-15 minutes should suffice.
• Microwave: For a quick individual serving, place 2-3 meatballs on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 60-90 seconds, or until hot. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying.
• Air Fryer: A fantastic option for crisping up frozen meatballs! Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until thoroughly heated and slightly crispy on the outside.

With these storage and reheating tips, you’ll always have a healthy, homemade breakfast at your fingertips, making busy mornings a breeze.

Delicious Variations to Keep Things Exciting

While the classic Bacon & Breakfast Sausage Meatballs are undeniably delicious, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand. These simple tweaks can create entirely new flavor profiles, ensuring your meal prep stays fresh and exciting.

• Spice It Up:
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mix for a spicy kick.
  • Incorporate a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a deeper, more complex smoky flavor.
  • For an even more authentic sausage flavor, add a teaspoon of fennel seeds (crushed or whole) to the meat mixture.
• Vary the Veggies:
  • Swap parsnips for shredded carrots or finely diced bell peppers for different sweetness and textures.
  • Add a handful of finely chopped zucchini for extra moisture and nutrition.
  • Experiment with different mushroom varieties, such as cremini or shiitake, for nuanced flavors.
• Herb Alternatives:
  • If fresh sage isn’t available, dried sage can be used (use about 1/3 the amount).
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary, finely minced, can also be wonderful additions, offering a more rustic, earthy aroma.
  • For a brighter flavor, a tablespoon of fresh parsley or chives can be added.
• Cheese Please!
  • Fold in a quarter cup of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a dairy-free cheese alternative into the meat mixture before forming the meatballs for a cheesy surprise.
• Alternative Proteins:
  • While this recipe specifically uses breakfast sausage and bacon, you could experiment with other ground meats. Ground turkey or chicken could be used, though you might need to add more seasoning and a bit of extra fat (like olive oil) to keep them moist.
  • For a leaner option, use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon.

Feel free to get creative and make these breakfast meatballs truly your own. The possibilities are endless!

4.25 from 4 ratings

Get the Recipe:

Bacon & Breakfast Sausage Meatballs

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 40 minutes mins

Total: 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6 (3 meatballs per serving)

These breakfast meatballs are incredibly easy to make, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort! Featuring savory diced bacon and hearty ground breakfast sausage, they offer a filling and versatile breakfast option perfect for meal prep. Simply mix all the ingredients together in one bowl, form into balls, and bake to golden perfection. Enjoy a delicious and stress-free start to your day!

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Ingredients

• 8 slices of bacon, diced
• 1-1/2 lb ground breakfast sausage, (we used our homemade country breakfast sausage because we freeze it in 1 lb batches so it’s ready to go)
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 10 mushrooms, diced
• 1 large parsnip, shredded
• 8 sage leaves, finely diced

Equipment

• Sheet pan
• Food Processor

Instructions

 

• Over medium-high heat, cook diced bacon pieces in a skillet until they begin to get crispy. Remove from heat and place on a paper towel-lined plate to cool, draining excess grease.
• Place the ground breakfast sausage in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• If you are using a food processor, equip it with the grating or fine chopping attachment.
• Process the onion, mushrooms, and parsnip through the food processor until finely diced or shredded. If preparing by hand, finely dice the onion and mushrooms, then grate the parsnip.
• Add the processed onion, mushrooms, and parsnip to the mixing bowl with the sausage. Incorporate the cooled crispy bacon pieces and finely diced sage leaves as well.
• Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Use your hands to thoroughly, but gently, combine all of the ingredients in the mixing bowl until everything is evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix.
• Form the mixture into oversized golf ball-sized meatballs (approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter) and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. This recipe should yield approximately 14-16 meatballs.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
• Enjoy these flavorful breakfast meatballs with your favorite sides! They are delicious with fresh spinach, a dollop of sauerkraut, and a handful of blueberries for a unique twist, or served alongside classic scrambled eggs and sautéed greens. Yum!

Last Step:

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Notes

The nutritional amounts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods. For comprehensive details, please refer to our full nutrition information disclosure here.

Calories: 268kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Fiber: 1g

Course: Breakfast

Author: Justin Winn

Cuisine: American

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Your Turn to Try These Bacon & Breakfast Sausage Meatballs

Now that you have all the tips, tricks, and inspiration, it’s your turn to experience the delicious convenience of these Bacon & Breakfast Sausage Meatballs! Whether you’re a seasoned meal prepper looking for a new staple or just seeking a hearty, flavorful breakfast to brighten your mornings, this recipe is designed to deliver.

We absolutely love seeing what you create in your kitchens. If you try out this fantastic recipe, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts! Let us know what you think by leaving a star rating and a comment below. Your feedback not only helps us improve but also inspires other home cooks. Additionally, we would be thrilled if you took a picture of your culinary masterpiece and tagged us on Instagram @realsimplegood. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #realsimplegood so we can easily find and celebrate your delicious creations! We can’t wait to see what you’re making!