Description
Tender homemade meatballs simmered in a glossy cranberry-ketchup sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and savory. Perfect as a festive appetizer or cozy main course when served over rice or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Meatballs
1 small onion, grated or finely diced
1½ lbs lean ground beef
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
⅓ cup tomato ketchup
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Sauce
2 cups cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
1 cup tomato ketchup
3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Mix onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire, parsley, salt, and pepper gently until combined.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs (30–35). Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cook meatballs either by:
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C); bake 15–18 minutes until browned and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
- Pan-frying: Cook in skillet with oil 8–10 minutes, turning to brown and cook through.
- Prepare sauce: Combine cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in skillet. Heat over medium until smooth and bubbling. Adjust sweetness or tang to taste.
- Add cooked meatballs to sauce. Toss gently and simmer 5–10 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Garnish with parsley. Serve warm as appetizers or over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.
Notes
Use 90% lean beef for balanced flavor and tenderness.
Grate onion finely to keep meatballs moist.
Prepare meatballs ahead and refrigerate till cooking.
For slow cooker, combine sauce and cooked meatballs; heat on low 2–3 hours.
Store leftovers up to 4 days refrigerated or freeze 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Baking / Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: christmas cranberry meatballs, holiday appetizer, sweet and tangy meatballs, festive party food, cranberry beef recipe