Absolute Best Holiday Meatballs Crock Pot or Not
Perfect for festive gatherings or cozy family dinners, the "Absolute Best Holiday Meatballs Crock Pot or Not" recipe is a versatile crowd-pleaser that will become your go-to for special occasions. These irresistibly tender meatballs are made with a flavorful blend of ground beef and pork, enhanced by Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a hint of garlic. Whether slow-cooked in a crock pot for melt-in-your-mouth texture or baked to golden perfection, they’re coated in a tangy-sweet glaze featuring ketchup, chili sauce, and a touch of brown sugar. Ready in just 20 minutes of hands-on prep, this recipe is ideal for appetizers or served over pasta or rice for a hearty meal. Perfectly adaptable, these savory meatballs are guaranteed to shine at your holiday table or as an effortless comfort food year-round!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef (80/20)
- 1 lb Ground pork
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 large Eggs
- 0.5 cup Milk
- 1 medium-sized Small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 cup Ketchup
- 0.25 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup Chili sauce
- 0.25 cup Water (optional for thinning sauce)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Mix the ingredients gently by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
To sear the meatballs for extra flavor (optional), heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil and brown the meatballs for 1-2 minutes on each side. This step is optional but adds depth to the flavor.
If using a crock pot: Transfer the raw or browned meatballs to the slow cooker. If baking instead: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the meatballs for 20 minutes until cooked through.
In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chili sauce to make the tangy-sweet glaze. Add a splash of water if you prefer a thinner sauce.
For the crock pot version: Pour the glaze over the meatballs in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 3 hours or on high for 1.5 hours until the meatballs are tender and fully cooked.
For the oven version: Once the meatballs are out of the oven, transfer them to a large saucepan. Pour the glaze over them, and simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the meatballs in the sauce.
Serve warm as an appetizer or over cooked pasta or rice for a full meal. Enjoy your holiday feast!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
163 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 9.5 g | 12% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8 g | 19% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 46 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 444 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 10.0 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g | ||
| Protein | 9.1 g | 18% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 61 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
