Description
These festive Christmas Meatballs combine lean ground beef with dried cranberries and a savory onion soup mix, baked into juicy meatballs and coated in a rich cranberry sauce. Perfect as a holiday appetizer or party snack, they bring together sweet and savory flavors that are sure to delight your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
Sauce
- 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, onion soup mix, seasoned bread crumbs, dried cranberries, and fresh parsley. Add the ground beef and mix lightly but thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly without overworking the meat.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking. Set aside on a plate.
- Cook Meatballs in Microwave: Place about a third of the meatballs on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with waxed paper and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Repeat this process with the remaining meatballs in batches.
- Prepare Sauce: In a 2-quart microwave-safe dish, combine the cranberry sauce, ketchup, beef broth, brown sugar, finely chopped onion, and cider vinegar. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through to meld the flavors.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Gently stir the cooked meatballs into the warm sauce. Cover and microwave on high for an additional 2 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through and fully coated in the sauce.
Notes
- For a more traditional cooking method, bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- If preferred, fresh cranberries can be used instead of dried for a tart burst of flavor—adjust sugar accordingly.
- Use gluten-free bread crumbs to make this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.
- These meatballs can be served over rice, pasta, or on toothpicks as a festive appetizer.
- Microwave cooking times may vary; ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
