spicy tailgate meatballs

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Joyce Conway
Westerville, OH

These meatballs are a BIG hit at any tailgate or football party. Not only are they delicious, but the presentation is easy, fun and brings cheers from the fans! Serve them in a large pumpkin which you've cleaned out and painted your team's logo on the front. Put the serving toothpicks or cocktail forks in a wee little cleaned out pumpkin, too! PS - Go Bucks!!!

(1 rating)
yield 12 serving(s)
prep time 1 Hr
cook time 30 Min

Ingredients For spicy tailgate meatballs

  • 1 lb
    ground chuck
  • 1 lb
    bulk italian sausage, hot or sweet
  • 1 md
    onion, finely diced
  • 1 md
    green or red sweet pepper, finely diced
  • 2
    granny smith apples, peeled and finely diced
  • 2 c
    catsup, divided
  • 2 tsp
    sea salt
  • 2 tsp
    granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp
    red chili pepper flakes
  • 2 lg
    eggs
  • 1 1/2 c
    panko bread crumbs
  • 2
    13 ounce jars habanero or jalapeno pepper jelly
  • 2
    14 ounce cans whole berry cranberry sauce

How To Make spicy tailgate meatballs

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • 2
    In a large mixing bowl, add ground chuck, sausage, onion, sweet pepper, half of the diced apples, ½ cup catsup, sea salt, pepper, chili pepper flakes, granulated garlic, Panko bread crumbs, and eggs. Using your hands, mix until combined, but do not over mix.
  • 3
    Spray large baking sheets with cooking spray. Roll meatballs slightly smaller than the size of golf balls. Place on baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely leaving them on the baking sheets. (Can be refrigerated to cool)
  • 4
    While meatballs are cooling, combine remaining diced apples, remaining catsup, pepper jelly, and cranberry sauce in a medium saucepan. Over medium low heat, stir until well blended. Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 10 minutes.
  • 5
    Carefully add cooled meatballs. Stir gently and continue to cook over low heat until meatballs are heated through. Place meatballs and sauce in crock pot on warm setting, or in other serving dish that can be kept warm. Serve with appetizer toothpicks on the side.Enjoy

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