Quick Cranberry Meatballs
Looking for a delicious appetizer that’s sure to impress? These Quick Cranberry Meatballs are the perfect addition to your holiday gatherings. With their sweet and tangy glaze, they combine the rich flavors of lean ground beef with a delightful cranberry sauce, creating a festive dish everyone will love. In just 35 minutes, you can whip up this easy recipe that’s family-friendly and ideal for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers. The best part? These meatballs can be made ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy more moments with your loved ones during the festive season.
- 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 very lean ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (like panko)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or packaged)
- 1 cup tomato ketchup
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix grated onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 minutes until cooked through and browned.
- While baking, combine cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed.
- Toss baked meatballs in the sauce before serving warm on a platter garnished with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 272
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 72mg