Meatballs in Cherry Sauce Appetizers
Elevate your appetizer game with these irresistible Meatballs in Cherry Sauce! Tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs made with a flavorful blend of ground beef, pork, Parmesan, and garlic are baked to golden perfection and then coated in a luscious homemade cherry sauce. The sauce, crafted with a combination of pitted cherries, cherry preserves, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of brown sugar, strikes the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Perfect for holiday parties, game day gatherings, or any special occasion, these bite-sized delights are easy to serve with toothpicks and look stunning with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This crowd-pleasing recipe combines savory and fruity notes for an unforgettable appetizer experience!
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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
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1.5 cups Pitted cherries (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 0.5 cup Cherry preserves
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, milk, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and lightly browned.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cherry sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, cherry preserves, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar over medium heat.
Stir the mixture occasionally and bring it to a simmer. Allow the cherries to soften and the flavors to meld, about 5-7 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly pour this into the cherry sauce while stirring constantly to thicken the mixture.
Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 2-3 minutes to fully integrate the cornstarch and achieve the desired sauce consistency.
Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to the saucepan with the cherry sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.
Serve the meatballs on a platter with toothpicks for easy handling. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3031 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 169.1 g | 217% | |
| Saturated Fat | 62.7 g | 314% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 786 mg | 262% | |
| Sodium | 4152 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 217.5 g | 79% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.8 g | 35% | |
| Total Sugars | 151.3 g | ||
| Protein | 163.0 g | 326% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 537 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 17.1 mg | 95% | |
| Potassium | 2253 mg | 48% | |
*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.
