Christmas Meatballs
Every family has traditions surrounding the holidays. One of my family’s favorite traditions is Christmas meatballs for supper on Christmas Eve. The crock pot meal is so easy to make, it doesn’t matter if celebrations are on a week night or week end!
Even if you have to work on Christmas Eve, you can make these Christmas meatballs and host the annual family buffet.
As a single working mother, my time was always at a premium; more so during the holidays. My mom would invite the entire family to her house on Christmas Eve, for an appetizer buffet, church and gift exchange.
Considering that I usually worked until 5pm, my timeline was tight. I developed this slow cooker Christmas meatballs recipe.
Two things about this recipe make it #ConvenienceCooking perfect: 1. packaged frozen meatballs and 2. your crock pot.
I took this dish to so many family Christmas Eve gatherings, that one year, I didn’t and nearly had a revolt from the family. When your family is as large as mine, that’s nothing you want to face!
I knew this dish was a classic, when my son called me from college. He was going to a Christmas party at his fraternity house and wanted to take the Christmas meatballs as his contribution. He’d already purchased a slow cooker for the purpose.
Make It a Meal:
We serve these meatballs on the buffet table with other appetizers and snacks like: Cheesy Olive dip, Shrimp dip, Spinach Artichoke dip, Chocolate covered pretzels and Christmas cookies.Â
 
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Christmas Meatball Recipe
Ingredients:
Some apple butter, catsup, cinnamon and frozen meatballs are the secret ingredient in this family favorite.
Recipe Directions:
Place all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low all day.
Christmas Meatballs
So easy to make, a college student can make them in the dorm.
So popular with the family, you risk a revolution if you don't bring them to the buffet this year!
Ingredients
- 24 ounce Meatballs
- 1 cup Apple Butter
- 1 cup Catsup
- 1 tbsp Cinnamon
Instructions
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Place frozen meatballs in slow cooker.
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Mix apple butter, catsup and cinnamon in small bowl.
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Pour sauce over meatballs.
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Cook on low 6-8 hours.
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 12, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 176, Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 24g, Sodium: 496mg, Carbs: 19g, Protein: 10g
(please remember these are approximate and will vary slightly based on your ingredient selections.)
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That is a very interesting and delicious variation to good old meatballs. The sweet sauce with apple butter and cinnamon sounds yumm!!
It’s a unique sauce … spicy, sweet, tangy and just plain delicious! I’ll bet your family loves it!
What a great sauce and I am sure my family would love these and ask for them the time for me to make
If your family is like mine, once you bring these to a gathering … you’ll be asked to bring them all the time!
I’ve never heard of Christmas meatballs, but my aunt always makes a ton of meatballs Christmas night when we all go to her house to celebrate. I love these flavors..might have to try them not on Christmas
My family loves these for the flavor … but also because they’re easy to eat. You can use a fork and eat one or two … or put them on bread / in a bun and make a meal of them!
Yes I love easy meals on Christmas Eve…and I usually make something in the slow cooker. These meatballs would be great stuffed in a sub!!
I think Christmas Eve is the busiest day … so many things to finish (last minute shopping, wrapping, etc), then church and family gatherings and waiting for Santa to arrive … slow cookers are the life saving dinner tool!
Oh, this sounds wonderful. I can’t believe we are already preparing for Christmas. Looks so good. Wonderful flavors.
Christmas is sneaking up on us. I like to plan ahead so I can fit things into my budget – so I pick up a gift hear & there, then a few ingredients that I can keep on the shelf … so I’m ready and don’t break the bank at the last minute.
I like how simple a list of ingredients is.This is a great idea, even for picky eaters! It is really impressive. Looks very tasty. Yum. Thank you.
Simple ingredients and recipe steps have been my go to recipes for family events. I love cooking, but who wants to be stuck in the kitchen when everyone else is having fun?!
Mmm what an interesting meatballs recipe! You make it sound so easy! Can’t wait to try this one. I like this! Thank you for a great recipe!
Dan, it really is that easy! And the flavors are ones that appeal to all ages and taste buds.
What a simple yet delicious recipe — I can see why your son wanted to duplicate it. I can’t believe we’re talking Christmas — and Thanksgiving isn’t here yet. But we have to be prepared, right? The Christmas meatballs recipe is a great one to have on hand.
Got to be good when the college boy wants to feed it to the frat brothers! LOL
Christmas is coming, sooner than everyone thinks!
The apple butter is the real secret ingredient here in my opinion. That is a delicious idea and one I cannot wait to try! It’s perfect in giving this dish a holiday flare!
Tammy,
Thanks! I think it’s the apple butter, too … let me know how your family loves this version!
We do this too, every Christmas Eve!!! I haven’t done it with the apple butter though so I will have to remember that for this year to switch it up! Sounds delish.
Some traditions are worth carrying forward, aren’t they?!
I love a good meatball recipe. This one looks like a winner!
Kid tested and approved! It’s that good!
I love this recipe. Crockpot meatballs are perfect for large crowds. I made some a couple weeks ago for an event and it was a huge hit. I’ll have to try your recipe next!