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A festive plate of glossy cranberry meatballs garnished with fresh parsley, arranged neatly on a white platter with a holiday-themed background featuring red and green accents, with a focus on the shiny sauce coating the meatballs and the vibrant color contrast.

Easy Cranberry Meatballs for Quick Christmas Appetizers

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A quick and easy holiday appetizer featuring tender meatballs coated in a flavorful cranberry sauce, perfect for Christmas gatherings.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 20 meatballs 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup orange juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  3. Form into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned.
  5. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce and orange juice. Heat over medium, stirring until smooth.
  6. Once meatballs are baked, toss them in the cranberry sauce or serve sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

  • For a sweeter sauce, add a teaspoon of honey or sugar.
  • Serve with toothpicks for easy serving at parties.
  • Can be prepared ahead and reheated.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Method: Baking, Simmering
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten-Free (with gluten-free bread crumbs)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 meatballs
  • Calories: 180 Kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg