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–+ servings
Christmas Meatballs

Delicious Christmas Meatballs for Festive Cheer

These Christmas Meatballs combine ground beef and sweet port wine for a festive dish, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas Meatballs, crowd-pleaser, easy meatball recipe, festive recipes, holiday appetizers, make-ahead meatballs
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 36 meatballs
Calories: 150kcal

Equipment

  • Baking sheets
  • medium saucepan
  • Slow Cooker
  • Dutch oven

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef chuck A juicy choice
  • ½ cup evaporated milk Adds creaminess
  • 1 cup dry breadcrumbs Acts as a binding agent
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Essential for umami flavor
  • 1 packet onion soup mix Infuses a deep onion flavor

For the Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup Adds sweetness and tanginess
  • ¼ cup brown sugar Enhances sweetness
  • ½ cup port wine Rich addition; can substitute with sweet red wine
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries Optional for garnish and extra flavor

Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, evaporated milk, dry breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and onion soup mix. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Preheat your broiler to high and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Portion the mixture into approximately 36 small meatballs, spacing them on the baking sheets.
  • Broil the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.
  • In a saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, port wine, and remaining Worcestershire sauce, heating until smooth.
  • Transfer meatballs to a slow cooker, pour sauce over, and cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
  • Alternatively, add sauce to a Dutch oven with meatballs and simmer for 30-40 minutes on medium-low heat.

Notes

Meatballs can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for quick serving during holiday gatherings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 6mg