Tangy-Sweet Cranberry Meatballs Recipe: Crowd-Pleasing Bites

Succulent meatballs infused with vibrant cranberry sauce bring a burst of festive flavor to your dinner table.

These delectable bites blend sweet and savory notes in one irresistible dish.

Tender ground meat mingles with zesty cranberry glaze, creating a mouthwatering combination that sings with holiday spirit.

Each morsel promises a perfect balance of richness and tanginess.

The recipe delivers a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Prepare to impress your guests with this simple yet sophisticated culinary creation that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Dive into this delicious journey and let the cranberry magic begin.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 5

All Ingredients For Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Ground Meat: Provides hearty protein and serves as the fundamental structure of the meatballs, choose lean beef or a mix of beef and pork for optimal flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind ingredients and creates a tender texture, preferably use fresh or panko for lighter consistency.
• Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent that keeps meatballs cohesive and moist during cooking.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Adds depth and aromatic seasoning without chunky texture, ensuring even flavor distribution.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the meat's natural taste and balance overall flavor profile.

• Cranberry Sauce: Brings sweet-tart brightness and festive color, select jellied or whole berry style based on personal preference.
• Barbecue Sauce: Contributes smoky-sweet undertones and helps create rich, complex sauce layers.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces tangy kick and helps emulsify sauce, opt for smooth variety for consistent texture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers umami depth and subtle complexity, choose traditional version for authentic flavor.

• Toothpicks: Perfect for appetizer-style presentation, making meatballs easy to grab and enjoy.
• Rice: Provides complementary base for transforming dish into hearty main course, select long-grain white or brown rice.

Set Up To Make Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing meat and ingredients thoroughly.
• Baking sheet: Perfect for evenly cooking meatballs in the oven.
• Parchment paper or foil: Prevents meatballs from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Large skillet or saucepan: Ideal for preparing and simmering the cranberry sauce.
• Mixing spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and coating meatballs.
• Toothpicks (optional): Handy for serving as appetizers.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for measuring sauce ingredients.

Directions To Make Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Meatball Magic

Grab ground meat and mix it with breadcrumbs and seasonings. Shape into small round bites and bake until golden and fully cooked. The secret is keeping them bite-sized and juicy.

• Cranberry Sauce Symphony

Blend cranberry sauce with tangy barbecue sauce and a hint of Dijon mustard. The combination creates a vibrant, glossy coating that makes these meatballs irresistible. Warm the sauce gently to blend flavors smoothly.

• Flavor Fusion

Drop the cooked meatballs into the bubbling sauce. Let them swim and soak up all the delicious flavors. Stir occasionally to ensure each meatball gets perfectly coated with the sweet and zesty sauce.

• Party Ready

Transfer the glossy meatballs to a beautiful serving dish. They’re perfect for appetizer platters or as a hearty main course over fluffy rice. Watch them disappear quickly at any gathering!

Smart Ideas For Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and sauce a day ahead, then gently reheat in the slow cooker for effortless party prep. The flavors will intensify overnight, creating an even more delicious dish.
• Meat Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs. Lean meats work perfectly without compromising texture.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the sauce for a subtle kick. Alternatively, mix in some sriracha or hot sauce if you love extra heat.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour instead of traditional breadcrumbs. Ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with sensitivities.
• Budget-Friendly Hack: Frozen meatballs can replace homemade to save time. Choose high-quality brands for the best taste and texture when you're short on cooking time.

How To Share Easy Cranberry Meatballs With Guests

• Festive Party Platter: Arrange meatballs on a decorative tray with colorful toothpicks, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or game day snacking.
• Hearty Rice Bowl Delight: Ladle the saucy meatballs over fluffy white or brown rice, creating a satisfying and complete meal with minimal effort.
• Elegant Appetizer Presentation: Serve in a chafing dish or small ceramic baker, garnished with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a touch of color and freshness.
• Brunch Crowd-Pleaser: Include these tangy meatballs on a buffet-style brunch spread alongside other savory items like egg dishes and breakfast casseroles.

Storage Advice For Easy Cranberry Meatballs

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store cooled meatballs in airtight containers, keeping sauce-coated bites separate from plain ones. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and easy grab-and-go options for quick meals or snacks.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Package meatballs in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air. Frozen batches stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture and taste.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare larger batches during weekends, dividing into portion-sized containers. Mix with different sauces for variety throughout the week. These protein-packed bites work perfectly for lunches, dinner sides, or quick protein additions.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm meatballs gently in microwave with added splash of sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, use stovetop on low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain moisture and restore original saucy goodness. Avoid high temperatures to prevent toughening meat texture.

Mediterranean Baked Eggs Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Mediterranean baked eggs invite home cooks on a flavor-packed journey through sunny coastal kitchens. Fragrant herbs, tangy tomatoes, and creamy eggs meld together, creating a simple yet sophisticated breakfast experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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proteins:

• 5 eggs
• 50 grams (1.75 ounces) feta cheese

vegetables:

• 1 large red onion (or 2–3 new red onions)
• 400 grams (14 ounces) tomatoes (cherry, classic, or a mix), halved or quartered
• 2 bell peppers, seeds removed and sliced into strips

seasonings and herbs:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• fresh basil for garnish
• fresh mint for garnish

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Instructions

1. Delicately slice the onion into whisper-thin ribbons, creating a translucent base for the dish.
2. Transform tomatoes into vibrant segments – halve cherry varieties or quarter larger specimens to ensure even cooking and optimal flavor distribution.
3. Deconstruct bell peppers by removing their inner membranes and seeds, then slice into elegant strips that will enhance the Mediterranean profile.
4. Ignite a large skillet over intense heat, allowing the surface to become scorching hot before introducing olive oil.
5. Awaken the aromatic potential of smoked paprika and ground cumin by gently toasting them for approximately one minute, releasing their complex fragrance.
6. Cascade the prepared tomatoes and bell pepper strips into the seasoned pan, allowing them to mingle and soften under gentle heat.
7. Season the vegetable medley with salt and pepper, creating a nuanced flavor foundation while encouraging caramelization and tenderness.
8. Allow the vegetables to simmer and meld for roughly ten minutes, transforming them into a luxurious, silky mixture.
9. Modulate the heat to a medium-high intensity, preparing the canvas for the eggs.
10. Craft delicate wells within the vegetable landscape, carefully nestling each egg into its custom pocket.
11. Monitor the eggs’ transformation, permitting approximately eight minutes for the whites to solidify while maintaining the yolks’ luscious, molten center.
12. Extinguish the heat and immediately embellish the dish with crumbled feta, providing a tangy counterpoint to the rich vegetables.
13. Scatter freshly chopped basil and mint across the surface, introducing a bright, herbaceous dimension.
14. Serve the Mediterranean baked eggs promptly, ensuring maximum temperature and gustatory pleasure.

Notes

• Culinary adventure meets Mediterranean charm in this vibrant breakfast dish bursting with colorful vegetables and perfectly baked eggs.
• Transforming simple ingredients into a flavor-packed morning masterpiece that celebrates fresh produce and aromatic spices.
• Versatile recipe allows customization with seasonal vegetables and preferred herbs, making each preparation a unique breakfast experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 370 mg