Description
Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are an easy, festive holiday appetizer featuring pre-cooked meatballs simmered in a tangy, sweet cranberry chili sauce. This crowd-pleasing dish comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
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 over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Meatballs: Stir in the frozen pre-cooked meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated with the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the meatballs are thoroughly heated.
- Serve: Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a serving bowl or slow cooker set on the ‘warm’ setting. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or rosemary to add a fresh, festive touch.
Notes
- No need to thaw frozen meatballs — add them straight into the sauce.
- For homemade meatballs, pre-cook them fully before adding to the sauce.
- Add Dijon mustard or a splash of orange juice to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
- To keep the meatballs warm during parties, use a slow cooker on the “warm” setting.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
