12/16/2025
Christmas Meatballs
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
These sweet and savory Christmas meatballs are made with juicy ground beef and simmered in a rich sauce featuring port w**e and brown sugar. Perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or festive buffets.
Ingredients
3 pounds ground beef chuck
1 (14-ounce) can evaporated milk
¼ cup dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, divided
1 (1-ounce) packet onion soup mix
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup port w**e or other sweet red w**e
1 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, evaporated milk, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and onion soup mix. Mix just until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the Oven:
Position the oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat the oven to broil. Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Form and Broil the Meatballs:
Shape the chilled mixture into about 36 small meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.
Broil for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned, turn, then broil for another 2 minutes. Remove from the oven once browned on all sides.
Dutch Oven Method
Make the Sauce:
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, port w**e, and remaining 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
Simmer the Meatballs:
Add the broiled meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on low for 30–40 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F and the sauce thickens.
Slow Cooker Method
Prepare the Sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, port w**e, and remaining Worcestershire sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring until smooth.
Cook in the Slow Cooker:
Transfer the broiled meatballs to a slow cooker and pour the sauce over them. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour, or until the meatballs reach 160°F and the sauce thickens.
Serve
If using fresh cranberries, stir them in about 5 minutes before serving. Keep the meatballs warm on LOW until ready to serve. Enjoy warm.
If you’d like, I can expand this into your full 1200-word rec