Festive Holiday Cranberry Glazed Meatballs

**Recipe Title: ** Festive Holiday Cranberry Glazed Meatballs

**Brief Description: ** These cranberry glazed meatballs are the perfect appetizer for any Christmas gathering. The sweet and tangy cranberry glaze paired with juicy meatballs will surely be a hit with your guests!

**Servings: ** 7-8 people

**Prep Time: ** 10 minutes

**Cook Time: ** 15 minutes

**Total Time: ** 25 minutes

**Ingredients: **

For the meatballs:

- 1 lb ground beef

- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

- 1/4 cup milk

- 1 egg

- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the cranberry glaze:

- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

- 1/4 cup ketchup

- 2 tablespoons brown sugar

- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

**Instructions: **

1. **Preheat Oven: ** Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. **Make the Meatballs: ** In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in size.

3. **Cook the Meatballs: ** In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side or until browned.

4. **Make the Cranberry Glaze: ** In a small saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes.

5. **Glaze the Meatballs: ** Place the browned meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each meatball generously with the cranberry glaze.

6. **Bake: ** Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the glaze is caramelized.

7. **Serve: ** Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve the cranberry glazed meatballs warm, garnished with chopped parsley or cranberries, if desired.

**Special Tips/Variations: **

- You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.

- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cranberry glaze for a spicy kick.

- These meatballs can also be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving. Just make the glaze fresh before serving.