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Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs

Quick Christmas Cranberry Meatballs – Recipe Card

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 9
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs frozen fully cooked meatballs
  • 1 can 14 oz whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce sweet or smoky works best
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Optional: ½–1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Make the Sauce
  1. In a saucepan or skillet, whisk together cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire. Add red pepper flakes if you want heat.
Add Meatballs
  1. Stir in the meatballs and coat them evenly in the sauce.
Heat
  1. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and the sauce is glossy.
Serve
  1. Garnish with parsley and serve warm as an appetizer or spoon over rice for dinner.

Notes

Slow cooker option: Add everything to a slow cooker and cook on low 3 hours or high 1½ hours.
For extra tang: Add 1–2 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
For extra sweetness: Add 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey.
Make ahead: Reheats perfectly on the stovetop or in a crockpot.