Description
These Quick Cranberry Meatballs are festive, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making them the perfect appetizer for your holiday gatherings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs very lean ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or similar)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, grated or finely diced
- ⅓ cup tomato ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- For the Cranberry Sauce:
- 2 cups cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1 cup tomato ketchup
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, grated onion, tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until well incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
- Wet your hands and shape the mixture into approximately 32 meatballs, placing them on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Meanwhile, prepare the cranberry sauce by combining the cranberry sauce, tomato ketchup, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until simmering.
- Add the baked meatballs to the sauce, stirring gently to coat. Simmer for a few minutes until warmed through. Serve warm, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
Ensure your baking sheet is lined to prevent sticking and adjust sweetness of homemade sauces as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
Nutrition
- Calories: 200 per serving (approx. 4 meatballs)
- Sodium: 440 mg
- Protein: 18 g