I love to entertain. I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like to, but when I do – watch out! I go all out. I want my guests to have the best time. I also want to be able to provide them with plenty of delicious foods and beverages.
I recently had the opportunity to try out a meatball recipe that totally blew me away. My family loved it so much that I made the meatballs again a week later. These are by far the ULTIMATE Party Meatballs! Not only can you serve them to holiday guests but you can also serve them to friends when you are enjoying a football game, tailgating parties, picnics, backyard barbecues, a side dish or even as a yummy snack. These awesome meatballs can work for an informal gathering to a fancy dinner party. They are very versatile.
How do you make these amazing meatballs? Easy! It takes just a few minutes and they require only three ingredients – Heinz® Chili Sauce, a bag of Johnsonville® Classic Italian Meatballs and one can of Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce.
Cranberry sauce, chili sauce and meat didn’t exactly sound like it would blend well. The cranberry sauce was the one ingredient that threw me off. I love cranberry sauce and use it on chicken and turkey. I would never think to use it with meat, especially meatballs.
I’ve always used Ocean Spray®’s cranberry sauce. Is there even any other on the market aside from generic sauce? I always grab for Ocean Spray®. It’s what I grew up with. This sweet and tangy cranberry sauce is a staple at our holiday table, as well as year round use. You’ll always find a can or two in my pantry at any given time.
Ocean Spray®’s cranberry sauce is available at most major grocery, market and even drug stores for around $1.40 for a 14 ounce can. I like to stock up during the holidays because it’s almost always on sale for a great price.
For this recipe I used Johnsonville® Classic Italian Meatballs. They are fully cooked, which saves you time when preparing this recipe. These delicious meatballs are made with premium cuts of meat and don’t contain any artificial colors or flavors. Not only are they great in this recipe but they are also ideal for other meals like meatball sandwiches (a family favorite) and spaghetti and meatballs.
The meatballs are available at many grocery stores. I had a wee bit of a time finding them where I live, but I eventually found them. Stores around here never seen to get new products until months after they are available to everyone else. Sigh…
A 24 ounce bag is around $7.99.
I have never used Heinz Chili Sauce before. To be honest I never even noticed it on the store shelves until now. We only use Heinz ketchup in our home. I’m surprised I never noticed the chili sauce until now. Heinz is “America’s Favorite brand” of Chili Sauce.
When I hear “chili sauce” I assume it’s going to be hot and very spicy. That is not the case at all. It adds a tangy flavor to your meal. You can use it like you would ketchup or as an ingredient in a recipe (such as this recipe).
Heinz Chili Sauce can be found at most major grocery, market and drug stores for around $2.39 for a 12-ounce bottle.
So how do you make this quick, easy and oh-s0-good recipe. It’s simple!
The Ultimate Party Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 package of Johnsonville® Classic Italian Meatballs
- 1 can of Ocean Spray® cranberry sauce
- 1 bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce
Directions:
In a large pan heat up the cranberry sauce and chili sauce. I find it easier to “melt” the cranberry sauce if you cut it up in small chunks.
Once melted toss in the meatballs and cook until the meatballs are heated.
That’s it! I told you it was easy.
This recipe can also be made in a slow cooker.
I was a bit “iffy” on the idea of cranberry sauce and chili sauce but once I tried them I was hooked. I could have eaten the entire pot of meatballs myself. 🙂 My kids and my husband thoroughly enjoyed them too. In fact it was my family who begged me to make them again.
Since making these meatballs I have shared the recipe with many others. I was going to make them this past weekend for a family get together but I didn’t have time. I did share the recipe with them.
I am going to keep plenty of Ocean Spray® cranberry sauce and Heinz Chili Sauce stocked in my pantry. That way whenever the urge hits or I have guests coming over all I need to do is swing by the store and grab a bag (or two) of Johnsonville® Classic Italian Meatballs and I can have this mouth watering Ultimate Party Meatball recipe whipped up that will have my family and friends begging for more.
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Have you ever tried this recipe? What do you think about it?
Do you plan on trying out this recipe at your next get together?
Kimberly
*I received free product samples and coupons from Heinz, Johnsonville® and Ocean Spray® in order to make this recipe and share my review. There was no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie) says
i am SOOO making these in the slow cooker!
Deborah D says
These look so delicious. I can’t wait to make them.
David says
I have never even considered cranberries for any meat other than turkey. Why not?
Rosie says
Oh my goodness, my heart actually skipped beats! This is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving weekend with the cranberry sauce. And buying the meatballs already made – I can’t thank u enough for saving me more dishes!!!! Yippee! I can’t wait to give these a trial run just so I can have them!!