Description
Nordic holiday magic shines through these Swedish Christmas Meatballs, blending traditional flavors with festive comfort. Juicy, spiced meat nestled in creamy sauce promises a delightful experience you’ll savor with each hearty bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- ½ lb (225 g) ground pork
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or fresh, finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for a festive touch)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup (250 ml) cranberry sauce (smooth or whole berry)
- ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Craft the foundational meatball mixture by delicately blending ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely minced onion, crushed garlic, aromatic herbs, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel. Gently fold ingredients until harmoniously integrated, avoiding excessive manipulation.
- Tenderly shape the protein blend into uniform spherical portions, approximately 1-inch in diameter, positioning each carefully on a parchment-lined baking surface.
- Activate the oven to 400F, creating an ideal thermal environment for culinary transformation. Position the meatball-laden tray within the heated chamber.
- Roast the morsels for 18-20 minutes, monitoring their progression toward a golden exterior and thorough internal cooking, ensuring complete protein development.
- Simultaneously construct the festive glaze by combining cranberry sauce, robust barbecue sauce, caramelized brown sugar, tangy Worcestershire sauce, and optional warming cinnamon in a spacious skillet.
- Gently elevate the sauce’s temperature, stirring periodically to establish a smooth, cohesive liquid melody of complementary flavors.
- Transfer the freshly roasted meatballs directly into the simmering sauce, allowing each sphere to become luxuriously coated in the vibrant, sweet-savory embrace.
- Permit the meatballs to leisurely simmer within the sauce for 5-7 minutes, facilitating flavor infusion and ensuring complete thermal equilibrium.
Notes
- Customize the meat blend by using different ground meats like turkey or lamb for a unique flavor profile and dietary variations.
- Ensure even-sized meatballs by using a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to create uniform portions for consistent cooking.
- Prevent dry meatballs by avoiding overmixing the meat and using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160F for perfect texture.
- Make ahead and freeze the uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for convenient meal prep and quick future cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg