Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs
Elevate your entertaining game with these irresistibly sweet and tangy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs! Made with a delicious blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and savory spices, these bite-sized delights are baked to perfection and then coated in a glossy cranberry-based sauce bursting with flavor. The rich, homemade sauce combines the tart sweetness of cranberry sauce with tangy Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of brown sugar for a perfectly balanced glaze. Ready in just an hour, this versatile dish can be served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or enjoyed as a main course over rice or pasta. Perfect for holiday gatherings, game days, or anytime you crave a little festive flair, these cranberry cocktail meatballs are a must-try addition to your recipe collection!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 cup Cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- 0.5 cup Ketchup
- 0.25 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.
Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and slightly browned on the outside.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
Stir the sauce mixture until smooth. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and well blended.
Once the meatballs are done baking, remove them from the oven and transfer them to the saucepan with the cranberry sauce.
Gently toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are fully coated.
Reduce the heat to low and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Serve the cranberry cocktail meatballs warm, either as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice or pasta for a hearty entrée.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2831 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 158.4 g | 203% | |
| Saturated Fat | 58.4 g | 292% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 745 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 4819 mg | 210% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 207.8 g | 76% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 153.3 g | ||
| Protein | 157.8 g | 316% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 448 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 14.5 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 1448 mg | 31% | |
*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.
