Cranberry Meatballs and Sausage

Name: Cranberry Meatballs and Sausage
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs; 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 pound bulk pork sausage; 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce; 3 tablespoons cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon prepared mustard; 1 package (1 pound) miniature smoked sausage links

Years ago, I found a version of this sausage and meatballs recipe in a cookbook. At first taste, my family judged it a keeper. The tangy, saucy meatballs are requested by our friends whenever I host card night. We also take the yummy dish on camping trips. —Marybell Lintott, Vernon, British Columbia

Ingredients

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 small onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 package (1 pound) miniature smoked sausage links

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble bulk sausage over the mixture and mix well. Shape into 1 in. balls. In a large skillet, cook meatballs over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°.; drain.
In a large saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat until cranberry sauce is melted. Add the meatballs and sausage links. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until sausage links are no longer pink and sauce is slightly thickened, 10-15 minutes.

Test Kitchen Tips

Worcestershire sauce was originally considered a mistake. In 1835, an English lord commissioned two chemists to duplicate a sauce he had tried in India. The pungent batch was disappointing and wound up in their cellar. When the pair stumbled upon the aged concoction 2 years later, they were pleasantly surprised by its unique taste.

Consider preparing meatballs in bulk to save on prep time. You can make several batches of meatballs, bake them and then freeze until needed. Simply thaw the frozen meatballs in the refrigerator overnight and you’ll be ready to go.

Check out 37 of our most marvelous meatball recipes.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 218 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

Originally published as Cranberry Meatballs and Sausage in Country Woman January/February 2004

Reviews

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Average Rating:

luigimon

Sep 29, 2013

Everyone loves this! Even my sister in law, who is a very picky eater......she went back for seconds!!!!
VictoriaElaine

Aug 10, 2013

I was skeptical of using pork sausage for the meatballs (have always used ground beef for meatballs) & a little unsure of how the cranberry sauce would taste, but decided to give it a try due to the positive reviews. I'm so glad I did - it is soooo delicious! I don't like smoked sausage links, so I sliced up a pound of polka kielbasa as a substitute. Loved having both meatballs & sausage in one dish. What I loved about the sauce, besides the taste, is that it doesn't make so much that the meatballs drown in it, like the grape jelly/chili sauce recipe. I will definitely be making this for the holidays this year!
kshea

May 19, 2012

We thought this was good, but not great
Khourtney

Nov 13, 2011

Its a hit every year! Fun and simple and a nice appetizer for everyone when they are still waiting for the main courses to be done!
heyitswong

Feb 24, 2011

Absolutely loved this receipe!!! My friends and I were not too big of a fan of the sausage links but we LOVED the meatballs with the cranberry sauce!
debnmike2

Jan 16, 2010

I made this for my annual cookie dough exchange party. What a hit, there were no leftovers. Making again next year!
lcronan

Jan 14, 2010

I used 2 lbs of Italian sausage - 1lb spicy and 1lb mild- instead of the links - turned out AMAZING! I just doubled the ingredients that mix in the meatballs. There was plenty of sauce!
linsvin

Nov 1, 2009

Nothing beats making meatballs from scratch. Assembly was easy, sauce was terrific! I've made this a half dozen times already for football parties. Would not change a thing. Do trasfer to a crock pot to serve.
ProblemChild

Oct 12, 2009

Somebody should change the name of this recipe to AWESOME Cranberry Meatballs & Sausage!! These were so great. I took them to a house warming party & everyone raved. Particularly about the meatballs. I used Jimmy Dean's Premium Italian Pork Sausage for mine but I think you could easily substitute hot, mild or sage depending on your preference & still have great results. I completely agree with the other review which said these are much better than the ones coated in chili sauce & grape jelly. Will definitley be making them again. Thanks for the recipe & making me the most popular guest at the party!!
Cptmom96

Nov 20, 2008

Very good and very easy! I did simmer and then I transfered to a crock pot and let guests serve themselves from there. Everyone loves these! So much better than the usual mini smoked sausage links covered in BBQ sauce or grape jelly and chili sauce!