Cranberry Special Meatballs
Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly savory, Cranberry Special Meatballs are the perfect centerpiece for your next gathering or a cozy family dinner. This flavorful recipe combines juicy ground beef and pork spiced with garlic and onion powder, all nestled in a luscious sauce made from cranberry and chili sauces, a hint of Worcestershire, and a touch of brown sugar for balance. These tender, baked meatballs are simmered to perfection in their glossy glaze, letting every bite burst with comforting warmth and holiday-inspired flavors. Ready in under an hour and perfect for serving over mashed potatoes or as a party appetizer, this versatile dish is a crowd-pleasing marvel you'll love to make again and again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 0.5 lb Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
- 1 14-ounce can Cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry)
- 1 12-ounce bottle Chili sauce
- 3 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Using your hands or a small scoop, form the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry sauce. In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and bubbling.
Once the meatballs are done, gently add them to the skillet with the cranberry sauce. Toss to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Serve the Cranberry Special Meatballs warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. They pair nicely with mashed potatoes, rice, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
525 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.5 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.3 g | 46% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 110 mg | 37% | |
| Sodium | 1086 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 52.1 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.6 g | ||
| Protein | 22.1 g | 44% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 71 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 402 mg | 9% | |
*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.
