Party Cocktail Meatballs

Rating: 4.8 stars
5 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 4
  • 4 star values: 1
  • 3 star values: 0
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0

These meatballs are a big hit with my extended family. I have also brought them to work and school functions.

By Tammy M

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:
15 mins
cook:
30 mins
total:
45 mins
Servings:
32
Yield:
32 servings
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

32
Original recipe yields 32 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water; bring to a boil. Cook meatballs, working in batches of necessary, in the boiling water until they begin floating on top and are heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove meatballs with a slotted spoon, drain in a strainer, and transfer to a large saucepan.

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  • Combine ketchup, apple jelly, red currant jelly, and hot sauce in a separate large saucepan; cook and stir over low heat until jelly is dissolved and sauce is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour sauce over meatballs. Simmer, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until meatballs and sauce are thoroughly heated, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cook's Notes:

The amount of sauce in the recipe works for up to 5 pounds of meatballs, if you make more, you will need to increase the sauce. If you cook less meatballs, you would just have more sauce. The size of your meatballs may change the number of servings. My approximately 32 serving count is based on 5 pounds of 5/8 oz sized meatballs (about the size of a golf ball) and about 4 per person.

You can also simmer the meatballs in a slow cooker. Transfer cooked meatballs from boiling water a slow cooker. Pour the simmered sauce over meatballs. Cook on Low for about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
242 calories; protein 12.3g 25% DV; carbohydrates 27.8g 9% DV; fat 9.2g 14% DV; cholesterol 58.9mg 20% DV; sodium 361.3mg 15% DV. Full Nutrition
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Reviews (5)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

Lynn
Rating: 5 stars
09/30/2016
I have done several recipes from this site but never wanted to share. This has become my go to recipe for pot lucks and the church fellowship meals. It is fast and easy. The only thing I changed in the recipe was that I added ¾ of a teaspoon of hot sauce. I think that is really based on taste. The first time I made it was for a birthday party I was doing for my sister at church. I cut out a few steps. I bought Wal-Mart fully cooked meatballs and let them thaw the night before in the refrigerator. Sunday morning I made the sauce. It took about 10 minutes. I put the meatballs in the crock pot and poured the sauce over it and put set it on low for an hour. It was ready when I was ready to leave for church. I set the crock-pot on warm during church. This was a big hit. Not one meatball was left. I served it with Hawaiian King rolls and salad. It made a full meal. Read More
Helpful
(4)
5 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 4
  • 4 star values: 1
  • 3 star values: 0
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Lynn
Rating: 5 stars
09/29/2016
I have done several recipes from this site but never wanted to share. This has become my go to recipe for pot lucks and the church fellowship meals. It is fast and easy. The only thing I changed in the recipe was that I added ¾ of a teaspoon of hot sauce. I think that is really based on taste. The first time I made it was for a birthday party I was doing for my sister at church. I cut out a few steps. I bought Wal-Mart fully cooked meatballs and let them thaw the night before in the refrigerator. Sunday morning I made the sauce. It took about 10 minutes. I put the meatballs in the crock pot and poured the sauce over it and put set it on low for an hour. It was ready when I was ready to leave for church. I set the crock-pot on warm during church. This was a big hit. Not one meatball was left. I served it with Hawaiian King rolls and salad. It made a full meal. Read More
Helpful
(4)
Tammy Lynn
Rating: 4 stars
10/10/2015
I liked these but they were a bit too sweet for me. I had to add a lot more hot sauce than called for and some red pepper to offset how sweet they were. (I still didn't taste any heat.) I then added some garlic powder and onion powder. Thank you for the recipe; it was nice to try something new. My toddler loved them but I prefer the Heinz chili sauce and grape jelly meatballs. Read More
Helpful
(2)
Sarah Gadacz
Rating: 5 stars
12/24/2016
This is how my mother has been making meatballs for usually Christmas since I was little (over 35 years) minus the red currant. She got the recipe from my Dad's mother. So this recipe has been around a very long time. Love it! Read More
Helpful
(1)
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CJack
Rating: 5 stars
02/15/2017
This is my pot luck go to. I also make this where doing the fellowship dinner at church. I serve with Hawaiian rolls and a garden salad. Easy on me and a big hit. Read More
KCR
Rating: 5 stars
01/07/2019
The family could not get enough of it!!! I have made these types of meatballs for years this sauce is the best hands down. Also so easy!! Read More
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