Quick Cranberry Meatballs (Christmas Recipe)
Delight your guests this holiday season with Quick Cranberry Meatballs, a scrumptious appetizer that combines savory beef with a sweet-tangy cranberry sauce. These meatballs are incredibly easy to prepare, making them a perfect addition to any gathering or family dinner. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a handful of wholesome ingredients, you can create a dish that not only pleases the palate but also adds a festive touch to your table. Their unique flavor profile—balancing the sweetness of cranberries with the richness of beef—will have everyone asking for seconds. Plus, they can be made ahead of time, ensuring your holiday entertaining is stress-free!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small onion (grated or finely diced)
- 1 ½ pounds very lean ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (like panko)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups cranberry sauce
- 1 cup tomato ketchup (for sauce)
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the grated onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Form the mixture into small balls (about one inch in diameter) and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the meatballs for about 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
- While baking, heat cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.
- Toss baked meatballs in the warm sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball - approximately 30g
- Calories: 82
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 205mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg