Quick Cranberry Meatballs
If you’re in search of a delicious and festive appetizer to elevate your holiday gatherings, look no further than these Quick Cranberry Meatballs. Bursting with sweet and tangy flavors from the cranberry sauce, this easy recipe is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy family dinner. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can whip up these flavorful meatballs using ground beef and simple pantry staples. They’re not only a crowd-pleaser but also highly customizable, making them an ideal choice for any occasion. Serve them warm, and watch as they disappear from the platter!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 meatballs (serves about 6) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small onion (grated or finely diced)
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (like panko)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups cranberry sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine grated onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Roll the mixture into one-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C).
- In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice until heated through.
- Toss the baked meatballs in the warm sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (120g)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 85mg