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Ultimate Party Meatballs — Perfect for Appetizers or Main Dishes

Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just feeding a hungry family, these Party Meatballs are the perfect answer. They’re juicy, flavorful, and versatile — great served as an appetizer with toothpicks, tossed in your favorite sauce, or even paired with pasta for a heartier meal.

This recipe makes between 24–48 meatballs depending on the size you roll them, and they freeze beautifully if you want to prep ahead.

Why You’ll Love These Meatballs

Versatile: Serve them plain, in spaghetti sauce, sweet and sour glaze, Swedish style, or as cocktail meatballs.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Mix and roll them ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze, and bake when you’re ready.
Perfect Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Add your favorite sauce and keep warm in a slow cooker for easy party serving.
Customizable Sauce Options: A classic chili/cranberry party sauce is just one delicious option — try grape jelly chili, BBQ, or marinara.
Ingredients

Meatballs
- 2 lb lean ground beef (great with wild game too)
- 1 cup dry bread or cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 eggs
Party Sauce (Classic Sweet & Tangy)
- 1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce
- 1 (14 oz) can jellied cranberry sauce (or 2 cups grape jelly)

How to Make It

Preheat the Oven:
Heat your oven to 400°F.
Mix the Meatball Base:
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, and eggs. Stir with a spoon or use your hands until just combined.
Shape the Meatballs:
Roll the mixture into small 1–1½-inch balls — about 40–48 meatballs total. Place them on an ungreased baking sheet or broiler pan.
Bake:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F and are nicely browned.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a bowl, stir together the chili sauce and cranberry (or grape jelly) until smooth. Heat the sauce on the stovetop or pour it over the warm meatballs in a slow cooker.
Serve & Enjoy:
Keep the meatballs warm in the slow cooker throughout your party, serve on a platter with toothpicks, or pair them with spaghetti for a main dish.

Print Recipe

Party Meatballs

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Servings:

Calories: 158kcal

Ingredients

2 lb lean ground beef (great with wild game)
1 cup dry bread or cracker crumbs
¼ cup milk
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion (diced small)
2 eggs

Instructions

Heat oven to 400°
Mix all ingredients. Shape mixture into 40-48 meatballs 1" to 1-1/2" round. Place on an ungreased baking sheet or broiler pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they reach an internal temp of 165°.

Party sauce

1- 12 oz. bottle or can of chili sauce
1- 14 oz. can jellied cranberry sauce or 2 cups grape jelly
Mix the sauce ingredients together and pour them on top of the meatballs. In a saucepan or skillet heat until the jelly is melted and the sauce is warm. Or put the meatballs and sauce in your slow cooker for 3-4 hours on low.

Nutrition

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