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Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a delightful blend of savory and sweet, perfect for festive gatherings. Easy to prep and versatile, they will impress your guests as an appetizer or main dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef Use high-quality ground beef for the best flavor.
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 piece egg Large egg, lightly beaten.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Use fresh garlic for best flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce Store-bought or homemade.
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for added heat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overmix.
  3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a lined baking sheet with enough space in between.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In another bowl, mix together cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
Cooking
  1. Pour the sauce over the meatballs ensuring they are well coated.
  2. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling.
  3. Let the meatballs cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For serving, use toothpicks for appetizers, serve over rice or pasta, or make meatball sliders. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.