Merry Meatballs
Add a festive flair to your table with these irresistible Merry Meatballs! This crowd-pleasing recipe combines tender, flavorful beef and pork meatballs with a tangy-sweet cranberry glaze, perfectly balanced with hints of soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar. A touch of nutmeg and grated Parmesan in the meatball mix adds a cozy depth of flavor, while a quick sear ensures a golden, caramelized exterior. Simmered to perfection in the glossy cranberry-ketchup sauce, these meatballs are a versatile delight, ideal as an appetizer or served over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a holiday-inspired meal. Ready in just 45 minutes, this dish is the perfect combination of ease, flavor, and a little seasonal magic—a surefire hit for your next dinner or party.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground pork
- 0.75 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 onion, finely grated
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (smooth or jellied)
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
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 breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 2–3 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.
Add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, minced garlic, grated onion, Parmesan cheese, parsley, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix gently using your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches for 2–3 minutes on each side until browned, but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, combine the cranberry sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Once the sauce is simmering, add the seared meatballs back to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the meatballs to coat them evenly.
Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the sauce is rich and glossy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Optional: Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.
Serve warm as an appetizer or over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles for a main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3038 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 175.7 g | 225% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.7 g | 308% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 770 mg | 257% | |
| Sodium | 5635 mg | 245% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 215.6 g | 78% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 140.5 g | ||
| Protein | 157.7 g | 315% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 538 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 15.6 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 1588 mg | 34% | |
*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.
