Quick Cranberry Meatballs (Christmas Recipe)
If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping appetizer that will wow your holiday guests, these Quick Cranberry Meatballs are just what you need. This savory-sweet dish marries the rich flavors of lean ground beef with tangy cranberry sauce for a festive twist that’s perfect for any gathering. With just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the oven, you can have a delectable treat ready to serve in no time. Ideal for potlucks or cozy family dinners, these meatballs can even be prepared in advance so you can enjoy the festivities without any last-minute stress. Trust us—once you share this delightful dish, it will quickly become a holiday favorite!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 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
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until well combined but not overmixed.
- Shape the mixture into small balls (about one inch in diameter) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, whisk together cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, gently toss them in the sauce until fully coated. Serve warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs (approximately 90g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 80mg