Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a delightful fusion of sweet and savory, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy family dinners. These tender meatballs, generously coated in tangy cranberry sauce, evoke nostalgic flavors and are incredibly easy to prepare. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a dish that will impress your guests and keep them coming back for more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs (serves about 6) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 20 total) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- While baking, heat cranberry sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.
- Toss baked meatballs in the warm cranberry sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs (120g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Feel free to substitute ground turkey for a lighter option or add fresh herbs like parsley for extra flavor. To enhance sweetness, consider using homemade cranberry sauce with less sugar.