Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs are the ultimate festive treat, perfect for warming hearts and bellies during the holiday season. This recipe offers a delightful combination of savory flavors and a comforting texture, making it an ideal appetizer or main course for your Christmas Eve celebrations. It’s incredibly versatile, easy to prepare, and guarantees to be a crowd-pleaser for guests of all ages.
Key Ingredients for Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs
For the Meatballs:
* 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for best flavor)
* 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular, depending on desired texture)
* 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2% for moisture)
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or to taste, for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamier sauce)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
How to Make Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs
These Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs are a delicious and satisfying dish that comes together with remarkable ease, perfect for a busy holiday evening. The richness of the homemade meatballs perfectly complements the sweet and savory tomato sauce, culminating in a dish that’s both comforting and utterly delightful. With a preparation time of just 30 minutes and a cooking time of 45-60 minutes, you’ll have a festive meal ready in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, beaten egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and milk. Use your hands to gently mix all the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
Step 2: Form the Meatballs
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should get approximately 30-36 meatballs.
Step 3: Brown the Meatballs
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch. They don’t need to be cooked through at this stage, just nicely browned to seal in the juices and add flavor. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce Base
In the same skillet or Dutch oven, add the finely diced yellow onion and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Step 6: Combine Meatballs and Sauce
Carefully add the browned meatballs back into the simmering sauce. Stir gently to ensure all meatballs are coated. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs simmer for at least 30-40 minutes, or up to an hour, for the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through and become tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Finish the Sauce (Optional)
If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in the heavy cream during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 8: Serve
Garnish your Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs with fresh basil or parsley before serving. They are fantastic served over pasta, with crusty bread, or as a standalone appetizer.
Why You’ll Love This Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs
You are absolutely going to adore these Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs for their incredible taste and the heartwarming comfort they bring to your holiday table. The main feature is undoubtedly the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the meatballs combined with the rich, slightly sweet, and savory tomato sauce that evokes all the cozy feelings of Christmas Eve. Imagine a dish that tastes like it took hours, but was surprisingly straightforward to prepare!
Making these meatballs at home is not only a labor of love but also a fantastic way to save money compared to store-bought options or dining out, without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. The secret lies in the quality ingredients, from the lean ground beef to the aromatic herbs and spices that infuse every bite. Paired with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan or a dollop of creamy ricotta, these meatballs elevate any meal, much like a classic lasagna but with the ease of individual servings. Don’t wait—gather your ingredients and treat your family to this unforgettable dish tonight!
Storing and Reheating Tips
These Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs are excellent for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers. To store, first allow the meatballs and sauce to cool completely at room temperature (this should take no longer than 2 hours). Transfer the meatballs and sauce to an airtight container. When stored properly in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, these meatballs freeze beautifully. Place the cooled meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, ensuring there’s minimal air to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat from the refrigerator, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then reheat as described for refrigerated meatballs. For best results, avoid reheating at high temperatures that might dry out the meatballs.
Final Thoughts
These Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs are more than just a meal; they’re a hug in a bowl, perfect for bringing warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations. Their simple preparation belies their incredible flavor, making them an ideal choice for both seasoned home cooks and culinary novices. Don’t hesitate to make these a new tradition—your family and friends will thank you!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, beaten egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and milk. Use your hands to gently mix all the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.1.5 lbs lean ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 cup milkStep 2: Form the Meatballs
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should get approximately 30-36 meatballs.Step 3: Brown the Meatballs
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per batch. They don’t need to be cooked through at this stage, just nicely browned to seal in the juices and add flavor. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside on a plate.1 tablespoon olive oilStep 4: Prepare the Sauce Base
In the same skillet or Dutch oven, add the finely diced yellow onion and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 medium yellow onion, 2 cloves garlicStep 5: Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1/2 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakesStep 6: Combine Meatballs and Sauce
Carefully add the browned meatballs back into the simmering sauce. Stir gently to ensure all meatballs are coated. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs simmer for at least 30-40 minutes, or up to an hour, for the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through and become tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.Step 7: Finish the Sauce (Optional)
If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in the heavy cream during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.1/4 cup heavy cream, Salt, black pepperStep 8: Serve
Garnish your Cozy Christmas Eve Meatballs with fresh basil or parsley before serving. They are fantastic served over pasta, with crusty bread, or as a standalone appetizer.Fresh basil or parsley