Description
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a festive and easy holiday appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings. Tangy cranberry and chili sauce blend with brown sugar and spices to create a flavorful glaze on pre-cooked meatballs, making this dish both delicious and effortless to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- 1 can (14 oz) jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Meatballs:
- 1 bag (about 32 oz) frozen pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey)
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir the mixture over medium heat until it becomes smooth and is heated through, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the Meatballs: Stir in the frozen pre-cooked meatballs, ensuring they are coated evenly with the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and let the meatballs simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until they are completely heated through.
- Serve: Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving bowl or a slow cooker set on the warm setting for parties. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary to add freshness and color.
Notes
- No need to thaw frozen meatballs; add them straight into the sauce.
- If using homemade meatballs, pre-cook them before adding to the sauce.
- For an extra flavor boost, add Dijon mustard or a splash of orange juice to the sauce.
- Keep warm during parties by using a slow cooker on the “warm” setting.
- Leftovers store well and often taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
