Description
These festive Christmas Meatballs combine lean ground beef with dried cranberries and a flavorful onion soup mix, baked in a tangy cranberry sauce perfect for holiday gatherings or party appetizers.
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 minced parsley. Add the lean ground beef and mix lightly but thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Shape meatballs: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, shaping them carefully to ensure even cooking.
- 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 cooked meatballs on paper towels. Repeat this process two more times with the remaining meatballs.
- Prepare sauce: In a 2-quart microwave-safe dish, combine the whole-berry cranberry sauce, ketchup, beef broth, brown sugar, finely chopped onion, and cider vinegar. Microwave covered on high for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Combine meatballs with sauce: Gently stir the cooked meatballs into the sauce. Microwave covered on high for an additional 2 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through and fully coated with the sauce.
- Serve warm: Remove from microwave and serve the meatballs warm as a festive appetizer or a savory dish during holiday celebrations.
Notes
- For a more hands-off cooking method, these meatballs can also be baked at 375°F for 20-25 minutes instead of microwaving.
- If you prefer, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a slightly lighter flavor.
- Make ahead by preparing meatballs and sauce separately, then reheating together before serving.
- Use gluten-free bread crumbs to make this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.
- For extra moisture, avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 pieces
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
