Quick Cranberry Meatballs (Christmas Recipe)
Elevate your holiday gatherings with these Quick Cranberry Meatballs! This festive appetizer combines the savory richness of lean ground beef with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, making it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a quick bake in the oven, these meatballs are perfect for busy weeknights or holiday parties. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also versatile—perfectly suited for family-friendly meals or elegant appetizers. Serve them warm with toothpicks for easy snacking, and watch your guests come back for seconds!
- 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
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper until well mixed.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs (about an inch in diameter) and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- While baking, prepare the sauce by combining cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.
- Once cooked, toss the meatballs in the warm sauce until coated and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs (120g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg