Saucy co*cktail Meatballs Recipe (2024)

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by Sandyon Jan 8, 2013 (updated Nov 12, 2018)

Try these Saucy co*cktail Meatballs Recipe and create another meal “or two” by freezing them. Think outside the box – be creative with your cooking!

You need to focus what energy you have on things you are passionate about. And you need some level of time management and organization to keep you from getting distracted and wasting yourself on the small stuff. – Lee Silber

The days I’m most productive are the days that I have a plan, with chores, errands, cooking, my blog. As we start a new year, one of my goals is to be smart with my time. Because when I’m smart with my time, it leaves me more time to have fun with the things I’m passionate about. One of of those things is a new book idea that I’ve had for a year. It’s exciting, I’m passionate about the subject, yet I find myself so busy and “the idea” always gets put aside for another day …

I’d love to hear one passion that you have, that you’d really like to accomplish this year?

Back to the kitchen. Over Christmas break, I made these saucy meatballs for a couple of parties, because the recipe is SO easy! You can take them hot in a slow cooker, or display them on a platter with individual toothpicks (microwave before serving), or serve them in a bowl with toothpicks on the side.




You can make them for your family and serve them over rice, or better yet, how about Meatball Tacos?

My point is this. When you make a meal for your family, or you’re asked to bring a dish to a party – double up the recipe!

Be smart with your ingredients, your time, your meal planning.

Think ahead to whether you could create another meal “or two” by making more food, even if you freeze it. Think outside the box – be creative with your cooking!

After the parties, I served the leftover meatballs with tacos, and included fresh healthy toppings. It was different, but my family really loved the flavor.

co*cktail Meatballs on steamed corn tortillas with cheese, tomatoes, cabbage, radishes, peppers, lime … and cilantro. Yummmmm!

So … what is something you’re passionate about accomplishing this year and how are you setting out to get it done? Do you have any kitchen goals?

Saucy co*cktail Meatballs Recipe (8)

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Saucy co*cktail Meatballs Recipe

Easy sweet and saucy meatballs served as an appetizer, over rice, or as Meatball Tacos.

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Yield: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. lean ground beef
  • 1 cup bread crumbs, any flavor
  • ¾ cup finely chopped onion
  • ½ cup milk
  • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 bottles 12 ounces each chili sauce
  • 1 bottle 22 ounce grape jelly

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 400°F. Stir together all ingredients except chili sauce and jelly. Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Place in ungreased 13x9x2 rectangular pan.

  • Bake uncovered about 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

  • Heat chili sauce and jelly in large saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until heated through. Stir in meatballs until coated. Simmer uncovered 30 minutes.

  • Serve in a slow cooker, or on a platter with toothpicks, or over rice.

Cuisine: American

Course: Appetizer

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

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Saucy co*cktail Meatballs Recipe (13)

Hello and welcome to my home and table!

I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...

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Appetizers Main Dishes Planning Recipes

originally published on Jan 8, 2013 (last updated Nov 12, 2018)

24 commentsLeave a comment »

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24 comments on “Time Management and Saucy co*cktail Meatballs Recipe”

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  1. Wan PlotzReply

    The Lastest aircon servicing best in the best singapore.

  2. JennyReply

    I love co*cktail meatball, and the sauce sounds so good……and not to mention so easy! I would love for you to link up this recipe to my linky party, my readers will LOVE this recipe!! http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2013/01/fantastic-thursday-27.html

  3. Tara @ UnsophisticookReply

    Bet they would be delicious in a sandwich too!

  4. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabblesReply

    I love that chili and grape jelly sauce – so good!! And how much fun to tuck the meatballs into tacos…my family would love that!

  5. Robyn Stone | Add a PinchReply

    We love those co*cktail meatballs. They are just too simple not to!

  6. Miss @ Miss in the KitchenReply

    Such a simple recipe, and I love that you made tacos with the meatballs.

  7. Sommer@ASpicyPerspectiveReply

    Good idea! OI bet they are delicious.

  8. Cassie | Bake Your DayReply

    I love co*cktail meatballs and the grape jelly is a must! This is good planning ahead!

  9. AmyReply

    I’m so horrible about planning like that. That makes total sense to double a recipe when we’re making party food or a meal for someone else. I just get in a hurry and don’t take the time to think smartly. Will be definitely trying to remember that in the future!

  10. KristinReply

    Wow, I really needed to read that quote today Sandy! Thanks for sharing it. And this meatball recipe looks like a keeper! Perfect for football game parties :-)

  11. AngieReply

    Perfect! I love that sauce, so good!

  12. ShannonReply

    We love these meatballs. I buy the frozen meatballs at Trader Joe’s and they are so fast to put together before a party. We have a friend who requests I make them for his super bowl party every year even after I’ve explained just how easy they are. :D I love the idea of repurposing them into tacos IF there are any left.

    • Sandy

      Shannon, repurpose into tacos. Love that! Just tweeted your lovely term. :)

  13. Kim in MDReply

    The meatballs look and sound delicious, Sandy! I love that you used the leftovers in a taco, too! I want to try to entertain more this year. I also want to continue to strive not to sweat the small stuff as much, and try to let some of my perfectionism go- thanks to you! :-)

  14. AnneReply

    This year I want to learn how to become really good at grilling pizzas. Everything from the best dough, techniques, how to be perpetually prepared in a budget friendly way for those teenager friends that always pop in. New reader here. Love the blog!

    • Sandy

      Hi, Anne! I love your NY goal – save a piece of grilled pizza for me! :)

  15. Heather @ Heather's DishReply

    How cute! And the recipe sounds fabulous – I have to be honest, I really love grape jelly in recipes. So unexpectedly delicious :)

    I’m focusing more on not just reading God’s word, but understanding (from a historical, contextual point of view + emotionally) and applying it to my life.

    • Sandy

      Hi, Heather. I forgot how tasty Grape Jelly is in sauces, too! I’ll keep some stocked in my pantry now for sure!

  16. KristyReply

    I love your blog, I have recently read your book and I am reading your archives from the beginning (which will take me quite a while). I had just thought this morning that I would like to try 1 new recipe a week this year, I may start with your meatballs……they sound great.

    • Sandy

      Kristy, welcome to RE! I’d say this recipe is a good one to start with! Easy and crowd-pleasing :) Thanks for being here!

  17. PattiReply

    I like to cook up a big batch of meatballs and freeze them individually on a cookie sheet. Once frozen I store them in zip bags. That way I can take out what I need and zap them in the microwave. The sauce is easy to mix in small batches. Equal parts of jelly and chili sauce. For a milder flavor I use ketchup.
    My goal for the New Year is to be more spontaneous in my hospitality. I’m pretty good at planned events but the drop in at the last minutes ones sometimes throw me for a loop!

    • Sandy

      Great tips, Patti. Thank you for sharing. And being spontaneous in hospitality will for sure have it’s rewards this year. What a great goal to have for 2013!

  18. NicoleReply

    I love co*cktail meatballs but don’t make them very often because we don’t go to a lot of parties and how many can 2 people eat at home? What a great idea to use them in tacos! Thank you for sharing!

    • Sandy

      Nicole, freeze the meatballs like Patti recommended, and then the sauce is easy – 1,2,3! :)

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