Savory Spicy Garlic Meatball Delight
Experience a flavor explosion with these Savory Spicy Garlic Meatball Delights! Perfect for parties or game day, these tender, juicy meatballs are infused with fresh garlic and a touch of heat, cloaked in a mouthwatering sweet and tangy cranberry-chili sauce. Whether served straight from the oven or simmered to perfection in a crockpot, they are irresistible when paired with long forks for easy serving. Customize the dish to suit your palate by adjusting the cranberry sauce and spice levels, making them the perfect appetizer for any gathering. These meatballs can even be frozen for later, allowing you to prep ahead and enjoy the festivities with minimal fuss!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra lean ground beef
2 lbs (none)
fresh minced garlic
2-3 tablespoons (minced)
small eggs
2 (beaten)
Lipton dry onion soup mix
2 (1-ounce) packages (none)
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste, can substitute with Tabasco sauce)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
grated Parmesan cheese
2-3 tablespoons (none)
breadcrumbs
1/3 cup (may need more for binding)
seasoning salt
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1-2 teaspoons (none)
jellied cranberry sauce
2 (8-ounce) cans (none)
Heinz Chili Sauce
1 1/2 cups (none)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
lemon juice
2-3 teaspoons (freshly squeezed)
Frank's Red Hot Sauce
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the extra lean ground beef, minced garlic, eggs, dry onion soup mix, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Adjust the amount of breadcrumbs as needed to help bind the mixture.
3
Using your hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients until well combined.
4
Shape the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs and place them on a greased baking sheet.
5
Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until cooked through, flipping halfway for even browning. Alternatively, meatballs can be pan-fried for a crispier exterior.
6
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine jellied cranberry sauce, Heinz chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Start with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and adjust to taste. Add Frank's Red Hot Sauce according to your preferred heat level.
7
Stir the sauce ingredients together until well blended and heated through.
8
Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the sauce, stirring gently to coat. Allow to simmer for about 45 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
9
Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a chafing dish or crockpot to keep warm for serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Spicy Garlic Meatball Delight?
It is a flavorful appetizer featuring tender, juicy meatballs infused with garlic and heat, coated in a sweet and tangy cranberry-chili sauce.
What type of meat should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of extra lean ground beef.
How much garlic is in these meatballs?
You should use 2-3 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic.
What is used to bind the meatballs together?
Small beaten eggs and breadcrumbs are used as binding agents.
What kind of soup mix is required?
The recipe specifies 2 one-ounce packages of Lipton dry onion soup mix.
Is there cheese in the meatballs?
Yes, the recipe includes 2-3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese.
How do I adjust the spiciness?
You can adjust the cayenne pepper in the meat and add Frank's Red Hot Sauce to the sauce according to your preference.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How large should the meatballs be shaped?
Shape the meat mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs.
How long do the meatballs need to bake?
Bake them for 22-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
Can I cook the meatballs in a pan instead of the oven?
Yes, meatballs can be pan-fried if you prefer a crispier exterior.
What are the main components of the sauce?
The sauce is made of jellied cranberry sauce, Heinz chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
What kind of cranberry sauce works best?
The recipe calls for 2 eight-ounce cans of jellied cranberry sauce.
How much Heinz Chili Sauce is needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of Heinz Chili Sauce.
How do I balance the sweetness of the sauce?
Add 2-3 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice to adjust the flavor to your taste.
How long should the meatballs simmer in the sauce?
Once combined with the sauce, allow them to simmer for about 45 minutes on low heat.
Can I serve these from a crockpot?
Yes, transferring them to a crockpot is recommended to keep them warm for serving.
Is this recipe suitable for game day?
Absolutely, these meatballs are perfect for parties, game days, or as a cocktail appetizer.
Can these meatballs be frozen for later?
Yes, they can be frozen for later use, allowing for easy prep ahead of an event.
What if the meat mixture is too wet?
You can add more breadcrumbs as needed to help bind the mixture.
Should I flip the meatballs while baking?
Yes, flipping them halfway through baking ensures even browning.
What should I use to serve the meatballs?
Long forks or toothpicks are suggested for easy serving at gatherings.
What kind of salt is used in the recipe?
One teaspoon of seasoning salt is used to enhance the flavor.
How much Worcestershire sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Can I use Tabasco instead of cayenne?
Yes, Tabasco sauce can be used as a substitute for cayenne pepper.
What is the role of brown sugar in the sauce?
Two tablespoons of brown sugar are added to provide a sweet depth to the tangy sauce.
Does the recipe use fresh pepper?
Yes, 1-2 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper are included.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Should the meatballs be placed on a greased sheet?
Yes, placing them on a greased baking sheet prevents sticking.
What is the final serving suggestion?
Serve them warm from a chafing dish or crockpot to maintain the best quality for guests.