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Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

These quick and easy Christmas Cranberry Meatballs are a perfect party dish, made with simple ingredients that create a tangy-sweet sauce. Perfect for busy holiday gatherings!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer, Party Food
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs and Sauce Ingredients
  • 32 ounces frozen fully cooked meatballs, or about 40 homemade meatballs Use pre-cooked for convenience.
  • 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce, chopped into chunks
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce or sweet chili sauce Choose based on desired heat level.
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar Optional, for extra sweetness.
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce For depth of flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Adds a little zip.
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest For citrus brightness.
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice For added flavor.
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes Optional, for heat.
  • to taste salt Salt Adjust as needed.
  • to taste Chopped parsley or green onions For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation of Sauce
  1. In a medium pot on low heat, add cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, orange zest, orange juice, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Stir until smooth and glossy.
Cooking Meatballs
  1. Stir in frozen meatballs and coat them well with the sauce.
  2. Cover and cook on low to medium-low for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
  3. Adjust sweetness or heat to your preference and add water if the sauce is too thick.
  4. Garnish and serve warm.

Notes

For a less sticky sauce, lower the heat and add water as needed. Double the batch for larger gatherings. This dish pairs well with a cracker board or sweet treats post-meal.