Description

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing holiday dish, these Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are exactly what you need. Juicy, tender meatballs coated in a rich, sweet-tangy cranberry glaze make this an easy dinner idea, perfect appetizer, or festive party snack. This easy recipe blends savory and sweet flavors into one irresistible dish that works beautifully for holiday gatherings, quick dinners, or even meal prep.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 lb ground pork

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic minced

1/4 cup onion finely chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

1 cup cranberry sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.

2. Shape the mixture into 1 to 1.5 inch meatballs and place them on a lined baking sheet.

3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

4. Arrange meatballs evenly on the tray, leaving space between each.

5. Bake for 18–22 minutes until browned and fully cooked.

6. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.

7. Cook over medium heat, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened.

8. Simmer the sauce for 5–10 minutes to develop flavor.

9. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and toss gently to coat.

10. Let them simmer for 5 minutes, then serve warm with garnish if desired.

Notes

Use a mix of beef and pork for the juiciest texture and best flavor balance.

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.

Simmering in the sauce is essential for maximum flavor absorption.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizer / Main Course
Method: Baking and Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: easy recipe, holiday recipe, christmas appetizer, meatballs, dinner ideas, party food