Christmas Meatballs Recipe Most Festive Party Bites

Festive holiday dinners find magic in these delectable christmas meatballs that dance with seasonal spices.

Warm kitchens buzz with anticipation when savory aromas start wafting from simmering pans.

Comfort meets celebration in each perfectly seasoned bite of these tender morsels.

Succulent meats blend seamlessly with traditional herbs and unexpected zesty notes.

Generations of culinary wisdom merge into this single, soul-warming dish that promises joy.

Memories sparkle like twinkling lights when you gather around a platter of these irresistible meatballs.

Let every forkful transport you to cozy winter celebrations filled with laughter and deliciousness.

What to Know About This Christmas Meatballs Recipe

• Deliver a hearty, delicious dish that brings family and friends together with classic flavors everyone loves and enjoys.
• Serve as an appetizer, main course, or party snack that fits seamlessly into holiday gatherings and winter celebrations.
• Create restaurant-quality meatballs with straightforward steps that require basic cooking skills and standard kitchen tools.

Ingredients Needed for Christmas Meatballs

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Classic combination providing rich flavor and tender texture, with beef adding depth and pork bringing moisture.

• Breadcrumbs: Helps hold meatballs together and adds light texture, choose plain or seasoned varieties.
• Egg: Acts as natural binder to prevent meatballs from falling apart.
• Milk: Keeps mixture moist and helps blend ingredients smoothly.

• Onion, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that boost overall flavor profile, finely chopped for even distribution.
• Parsley: Fresh herb adding color and subtle fresh taste, preferably fresh for best results.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing meat's natural flavors, kosher salt recommended for better control.

Instructions to Make Juicy Holiday Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Meat Mixture

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Milk
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh parsley

Blend these ingredients gently using your hands. Mix until components are just combined- avoid overworking the meat mixture.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Morsels

Roll the meat mixture into bite-sized balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Arrange these spheres evenly across the prepared baking sheet, leaving small spaces between each meatball.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Cook for 18-20 minutes. The meatballs are ready when they transform into a golden brown color and reach a fully cooked internal temperature.

Pro Tips to Enhance Christmas Meatball Flavor

• Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent tough, dense meatballs. Use light, gentle hand movements to combine ingredients just until incorporated.
• Uniform Size Matters: Roll meatballs to consistent 1-inch sizes for even cooking. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to help create uniform shapes.
• Moisture-Boosting Trick: Add a splash of milk or cream to keep meatballs tender and juicy. This helps prevent dry, crumbly texture during baking.
• Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160F for safe consumption. This guarantees perfectly cooked meatballs without overcooking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs in advance and freeze uncooked for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in refrigerator before baking for quick and convenient meal preparation.

Storage Instructions for Meatballs After Serving

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months for future meals.
• Warm refrigerated meatballs in a 350F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Quickly reheat refrigerated meatballs in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating and prevent overcooking.

Dishes That Complement Christmas Meatballs

• Tart and sweet lingonberry sauce provides a traditional Scandinavian touch that cuts through the rich meatball flavor, creating a perfect holiday balance.
• Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes absorb the delicious meatball juices and offer a comforting side that enhances the main dish's hearty profile.
• A malty, slightly hoppy winter ale or Christmas beer provides a robust drink pairing that stands up to the meatballs' robust seasonings and adds festive warmth.
• Light, crisp herb salad with dill and parsley offers a fresh counterpoint to the dense, rich meatballs, cleansing the palate between bites.

Creative Takes on Classic Christmas Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatballs: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free rolled oats or almond flour for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Holiday Balls: Swap ground meats with a blend of lentils, mushrooms, and quinoa for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use finely chopped cauliflower or crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Version: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint, and swap parsley with oregano for a Greek-style flavor profile.

Christmas Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Festive Swedish Christmas Meatballs blend traditional Scandinavian flavors with holiday cheer, creating a comforting classic that warms family gatherings. Served with creamy lingonberry sauce, these tender morsels invite generous celebrations around the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
• 0.5 pound (225 grams) ground pork

Binding and Moisture Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 0.5 cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs

Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or fresh, finely chopped)
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for a festive touch)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 milliliters) cranberry sauce (smooth or whole berry)
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Carefully arrange the oven rack in the center position and warm the oven to a robust 400F (200C), preparing a baking sheet with a light coating of oil or a protective parchment paper lining.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, delicately combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely diced onion, minced garlic, aromatic salt, ground pepper, and freshly chopped parsley.
3. Using clean hands, tenderly fold and merge the ingredients, ensuring minimal handling to maintain a light, tender texture – mix just until the components are harmoniously integrated.
4. Craft uniform spherical morsels approximately 1-inch in diameter, gently rolling between palms to create smooth, consistent meatballs.
5. Strategically position the meatballs across the prepared baking sheet, allowing slight spacing between each sphere to promote even heating and caramelization.
6. Transfer the sheet to the preheated oven and roast for 18-20 minutes, monitoring until the exterior achieves a rich golden-brown hue and the internal temperature indicates complete cooking.
7. Remove from the oven and allow a brief resting period to stabilize the internal juices before serving these festive, savory meatballs.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by swapping ground pork with ground turkey for a leaner option, ensuring the same juicy texture.
• Enhance flavor depth by adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to create a subtle holiday-inspired taste profile.
• Prevent dry meatballs by avoiding overmixing the ingredients and using a light touch when forming the balls, which helps maintain moisture and tenderness.
• Make ahead and freeze unbaked meatballs for up to 3 months, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve quality.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg