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cranberry meatballs

(3 ratings)
MsVivian avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Vivian Queen-Chase
@MsVivian
Benton, AR

Back in the '60s, our gas company put on what they called their Holiday Cooking show. This is adapted from one of those shows. We tried it that holiday season and it's been on our tables ever since. This is one of those recipes that became a tradition.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Fantastic meatballs with a holiday flair. Using a combination of beef and pork for the homemade meatballs gave them a wonderful flavor. The seasonings are subtle but keep the meatballs from being plain. The sauce, being slightly sweet and full of tang, is what makes these special. The chili sauce and cranberry sauce are amazing together. We could not stop eating these. They're easy to throw together and perfect for any holiday event.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
prep time 25 Min
cook time 45 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For cranberry meatballs

  • MEATBALLS:
  • 1 1/2 lb
    ground beef (80-20 or 90-10)
  • 1/2 lb
    pork suasage
  • 1/4 tsp
    black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp
    garlic powder
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 2 slice
    white bread, crumbled
  • 2
    eggs, beaten
  • 1 md
    onion, chopped
  • 1/4 c
    dried parsley flakes
  • SAUCE:
  • 1 can
    jellied cranberry sauce (14 oz)
  • 1 jar
    chili sauce (12 oz - I use Heinz)
  • 3 Tbsp
    brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tbsp
    lemon juice

How To Make cranberry meatballs

  • Meatball ingredients in a bowl.
    1
    To make the meatballs, combine all ingredients and mix well.
  • Meatballs formed and placed in a baking dish.
    2
    Form into walnut-size balls. Place in a single layer in a 9"x13" pan or baking dish. It will be full.
  • Stirring sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
    3
    To make the sauce, add all ingredients to a saucepan and heat over medium until melted, stirring to combine.
  • Sauce poured over the meatballs.
    4
    Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Meatballs baking in the oven.
    5
    Bake UNCOVERED for 45 minutes.
  • A bowl of Cranberry Meatballs.
    6
    NOTE: These are wonderful to make ahead and reheat or freeze after they are cooked. You can make the meatballs smaller and serve them with toothpicks at a party or just make the meatballs and use them with your own spaghetti sauce or gravy. I'd give them 10 stars.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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