Kittencal's Spicy Glazed Mini Garlic Cocktail Meatballs

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"This may also be made using Lil Smokies in place of meatballs --- these are at there best served from a crockpot with a long fork, you may bake the meatballs, cool then freeze just thaw in refrigerator overnight and drop in the simmering sauce, the meatballs may be oven-baked or cooked in a skillet --- you might need to adjust the sauce ingredients to suit taste, if you like more cranberry flavor then increase the cranberry sauce by half a can or one can --- also see my recipe#69173"

 

• Ready In: 24hrs 25mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 50

ingredients

• MEATBALLS

• 2 lbs extra lean ground beef
• 2 -3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (can reduce amount)
• 2 small eggs
• 2 (1 ounce) packages lipton dry onion soup mix
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or use Tabasco, adjust to desired heat level)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 -3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1⁄3 cup breadcrumbs (may need more)
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (no more than 1 teaspoon salt or the meatballs will be too salty!)
• 1 -2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

• SAUCE

• 2 (8 ounce) cans jellied cranberry sauce, ' (can use 2-1/2 cans or even 3 if desired)
• 1 1⁄2 cups Heinz Chili Sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 -3 teaspoons lemon juice
• Frank's red hot sauce (to taste)

directions

1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well using clean hands (you might need more breadcrumbs to hold the mixture together).
2. Shape into about 1-inch balls.
3. Place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake 350 degrees for about 22-25 minutes or until cooked through or you may fry in a skillet.
5. For the sauce; in a large saucepan over medium heat blend the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice (start with 2 tablespoons lemon juice) and hot sauce to taste; mix to combine then adjust ingredients to suit taste if desired.
6. Add in the cooked meatballs and simmer for about 45 minutes.
7. transfer to a chafing dish or crockpot to keep warm.

Reviews

[CoffeeB]

These went over nicely for a snacky for NewYears day. I made the meatballs the day b/f and refrigerated. Then the next day whipped together the sauce and placed all in a crock-pot for a few hours and joila...home-made meatballs. The garlic from the meatballs along with the cranberry sauce complimented each other nicely. Made for Chef's Pick in KK's forum~

 

[CrazyBoutCooking]

These were a hit at our Christmas Eve party. I love the sauce. I wish I'd made more because there weren't any left over!

 

[LizP5885]

These were so good. I know a lot of people use frozen meatballs to save time, but these meatballs are so delicious, it would be a crime to not use them! I baked the meatballs and added them to the crockpot. I poured the sauce mixture over them and let them heat for a couple of hours. They were even better the next day!

 

[SFFoodie]

I just made the sauce and used frozen meatballs. The sauce was awesome and the meatballs were the hit of the party. I added a little garlic and a couple squirts of dijon mustard.

 

[ColCadsMom]

I chose this recipe to try for my Christmas meatballs this year because of the cranberry sauce. The meatballs baked up perfectly and had delicious flavor before putting in the sauce in the crock pot. The deep burgundy color and cranberry flavor was perfect for Christmas. They were loved by kids and adults alike at my DH's family Christmas get-together. I did leave out the cayenne since I was serving to kids. DELCIOUS meatballs that I am THRILLED to be able to make!!!!!