Cranberry Sage Sausage Meatballs Wrapped in Prosciutto
Elevate your holiday gatherings with these delectable sausage meatballs infused with fresh herbs and tart cranberries. Wrapped in savory prosciutto, each meatball offers a perfect balance of flavors, making them an irresistible side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. The combination of ingredients creates a savory and slightly sweet profile, complemented by the crispy texture of baked prosciutto. Easy to prepare ahead of time, these meatballs will be the star of your festive table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh cranberries
12 ounces (washed)
sugar
6 tablespoons (granulated)
water
7/8 cup (for cooking cranberries)
butter
1 ounce (unsalted, for sautéing)
shallots
6 (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (chopped)
fresh sage
1 bunch (finely chopped)
fresh thyme
6 sprigs (leaves picked)
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
sausage meat
1 1/4 lbs (ground)
streaky bacon
14 ounces (finely chopped)
fresh white breadcrumbs
7 ounces
walnuts
4 tablespoons (lightly crushed (optional))
lemon
1 (zest of, finely grated)
prosciutto
16 slices (for wrapping)
vegetable oil
for dabbing
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries and sugar. Pour in the water, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble until the sugar dissolves and the berries soften, about 5–7 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and allow to cool.
2
In a frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the finely chopped shallots and garlic. Sauté gently until the shallots are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, ensuring they do not color.
3
Stir in the chopped sage and thyme, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the sausage meat, chopped bacon, fresh breadcrumbs, walnuts (if using), and grated lemon zest. Add the cooled shallot and herb mixture, combining thoroughly with your fingers to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.
5
Drain the cranberries and gently fold them into the sausage mixture.
6
Shape the mixture into 8 large meatballs, approximately the size of a golf ball. Wrap each meatball with two slices of prosciutto, ensuring they are covered well. Place them on a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight to firm up.
7
When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the plastic wrap and line a shallow roasting tin with parchment paper. Arrange the wrapped meatballs in the tin, leaving space between each.
8
Lightly dab each meatball with vegetable oil to help achieve a crispy texture while baking. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the prosciutto is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cranberry Sage Sausage Meatballs recipe?
It is a savory holiday side dish consisting of sausage meatballs mixed with fresh herbs and cranberries, then wrapped in prosciutto and baked until crispy.
How many meatballs does this recipe make?
The recipe makes 8 large meatballs, each approximately the size of a golf ball.
What are the primary herbs used in this recipe?
The main herbs are fresh sage and fresh thyme.
How do I prepare the cranberries for the mixture?
Simmer fresh cranberries with sugar and water for 5 to 7 minutes until soft, then drain before adding to the meat.
What type of meat is used for the meatballs?
The base is 1 1/4 lbs of ground sausage meat combined with 14 ounces of finely chopped streaky bacon.
Do I need to refrigerate the meatballs before cooking?
Yes, they should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to help them firm up.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
How long do the meatballs need to roast?
They should be roasted for 30 minutes or until the prosciutto is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
How much prosciutto is needed for each meatball?
Each meatball is wrapped with two slices of prosciutto to ensure they are well covered.
Is there a nut option for this recipe?
Yes, you can add 4 tablespoons of lightly crushed walnuts to the mixture for extra texture.
What helps make the prosciutto crispy while baking?
Lightly dabbing each meatball with vegetable oil before putting them in the oven helps achieve a crispy texture.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
The recipe specifically calls for fresh sage and thyme for the best flavor profile.
What type of breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe requires 7 ounces of fresh white breadcrumbs.
How do I prepare the shallots and garlic?
Finely chop them and sauté in butter until soft and translucent without browning them.
What citrus element is added to the meatballs?
The finely grated zest of one lemon is added to the meat mixture.
How much sugar is used for the cranberry preparation?
6 tablespoons of granulated sugar are used to simmer with the cranberries.
Should I line the roasting tin?
Yes, line a shallow roasting tin with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Can these be made ahead of time?
Yes, they can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It offers a savory and slightly sweet profile with herbal notes and a salty, crispy finish from the prosciutto.
Is there any oil used in the recipe?
Vegetable oil is used sparingly to dab the meatballs before roasting.
How much bacon is included in the meat mixture?
14 ounces of finely chopped streaky bacon are mixed into the sausage meat.
What size should the shallots be chopped?
The shallots should be finely chopped for even distribution.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 4 chopped garlic cloves.
Is the salt and pepper measurement specific?
No, salt and freshly ground black pepper should be added to taste.
What is the best way to mix the ingredients?
It is recommended to use your fingers to combine the ingredients thoroughly for even distribution.
When should the cranberries be added to the meat?
Gently fold the cooled and drained cranberries into the sausage mixture after the other ingredients are combined.
Should the meatballs be spaced out on the tray?
Yes, leave space between each wrapped meatball in the roasting tin.
What type of butter should be used?
One ounce of unsalted butter is used for sautéing the aromatics.
Are these suitable for Thanksgiving?
Yes, they are described as an irresistible side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
How many slices of prosciutto are used in total?
The recipe uses 16 slices of prosciutto in total for the 8 meatballs.