The sweet-tangy glaze + citrusy meatballs = a crowd-pleaser even picky eaters love!
Ingredients
(As provided)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
- In a bowl, combine:
- Ground beef
- Orange zest
- Breadcrumbs
- Milk
- Finely chopped onion
- Egg
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder
- Mix gently until just combined (overmixing makes meatballs tough).
- Shape mixture into 1–1.5 inch meatballs.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake 15–18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
2. Make the Cranberry Orange Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add:
- Jellied cranberry sauce
- Barbecue sauce
- Stir and cook until smooth and glossy (2–3 minutes).
- Optional but amazing: add 1–2 tablespoons orange juice from the zested orange for extra brightness.
3. Combine & Serve
- Add cooked meatballs to the warm sauce and toss gently to coat.
- Simmer 5 minutes to let the flavors soak in.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Tips
✨ Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
✨ Keep warm in a slow cooker for parties.
✨ Make ahead and freeze the meatballs + sauce separately.
