Quick Cranberry Meatballs (Christmas Recipe)
If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing appetizer this holiday season, these Quick Cranberry Meatballs are just the ticket! Combining the savory, comforting taste of lean ground beef with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, this dish is sure to impress your guests. Perfect for festive gatherings or cozy family dinners, these meatballs can be made ahead of time, allowing you to spend more quality moments with loved ones. With a cooking time of just 35 minutes, you’ll have a delicious dish that everyone will rave about!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- 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
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
- 1 cup tomato ketchup for sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, mix grated onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, tomato ketchup, parsley, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Shape mixture into one-inch meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, tomato ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice until heated through.
- Once meatballs are done, toss them in the warm cranberry sauce and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 meatballs (170g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 95mg