APPLE SPICE MEATBALLS

Apple Spice Meatballs image

I love this recipe because it is so full of wonderful flavors. A little spicy and a little sweet, these fabulous meatballs score huge at tailgate parties or holiday buffets. -Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 dozen plus leftovers.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
1 medium apple, peeled and finely chopped
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
SAUCE:
1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 jar (12 ounces) apple jelly
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls., Place meatballs on greased racks in shallow baking pans. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes., Gently stir in 6 dozen cooked meatballs and heat through. Save the remaining meatballs for Hungarian Pepper Soup with Romano Crisps or save for another use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 52 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 115mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.