Easy Appetizer Meatballs Recipe – The Perfect Appetizer For Two!

When it comes to making a homemade appetizer to celebrate New Year’s Eve it doesn’t get any easier than this Easy Appetizer Meatballs recipe. It only requires 3 simple ingredients and is ready to eat in under 20 minutes!

This recipe is the perfect amount for 2-4 people. However, it can easily be adjusted to make more if you are heading to a party to celebrate with friends.

Although, many of us now prefer to celebrate the coming of the new year from the comfort of our home. Therefore instead of driving out to dinner or heading to a late night New Year’s Eve party, we will be planning to make appetizers, dinner, and drinks at home.

Although we could purchase a shrimp cocktail ring at the local grocery store and call it a night, there are some other great appetizer recipes that you can choose as part of your evening.

And it couldn’t be easier than combining 3 ingredients together to make appetizer meatballs! Frozen meatballs are tossed with grape jelly and chili sauce.

Then the meatballs cook until they are warm in the center. Toss them one more time in the warm sauce and they are ready for the serving platter!

Pour the remaining sauce in a small dipping bowl and your appetizer is ready!

Appetizers For Two

Making appetizers for two doesn’t have to be difficult. However, most appetizer recipes that you find will make enough to serve 8-12 individuals.

Although sometimes appetizers freeze well, there are many that do not. In addition, when it comes to celebrating a special occasion such as New Year’s Eve, sometimes you may prefer to share a few appetizers, rather than just one.

Therefore, in addition to this easy appetizer meatballs recipe, I have included some of my other favorite appetizer recipes for two below.

1. Stuffed Mushrooms

A classic appetizer recipe that is easy to adapt for two people. Mushroom caps filled with a sausage and cream cheese filling and baked to perfection.

2. Mini Cheese Ball

This mini cheese ball recipe is a twist on those famous, classic cheese balls that you often find at holiday parties or as an appetizer for group gatherings. Best of all, it is made into a smaller portion and it takes only 15 minutes to prepare!

3. Caprese Salad Appetizer

A little on the healthier side, this easy caprese salad appetizer pairs very well with appetizer meatballs. Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil drizzled with a balsamic vinegar reduction for an easy and light appetizer.

4. Buffalo Chicken Dip

A cheesy dip that harbors all the flavors of classic Buffalo chicken wings. It is the perfect appetizer when served with tortilla chips and celery.

5. Pickle Roll Ups

A classic appetizer recipe that consists of baby pickles rolled up in dried beef that has been slathered with cream cheese. Serve them whole or slice them in little rounds for a hand held appetizer.

6. Loaded Totchos

A plate of cooked tater tots loaded with seasoned ground meat, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. A quick and easy appetizer for two.

7. 5 Secrets To Making The Best Nachos

Sticking with the nacho theme you can definitely add a plate of nachos to your appetizer list. However, be sure to read this article on the 5 secrets to making the best nachos that you have ever had!

Easy Appetizer Meatballs

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounces appetizer size meatballs, frozen and fully cooked
• 6 ounces chili sauce
• 5 ounces grape jelly

More About The Ingredients

1. Appetizer Size Meatballs

You are looking for small appetizer size meatballs. Although technically you could use full size, spaghetti meatballs, they are not ideal for an appetizer.

Instead purchase small frozen appetizer size meatballs so that you can eat them with a toothpick. This will make them easier to eat since there are no utensils required.

And for those who don’t eat pork, you are in luck! You can often find beef or turkey meatballs in the frozen section of most grocery stores.

However, they may not be located in the frozen meat section. Therefore, be sure to look where the frozen appetizers are stocked.

2. Chili Sauce

Chili sauce is a tomato based sauce that also includes onions, peppers, vinegar, sugar, and spices. It is most often found in the condiment aisle at the grocery store.

Standard chili sauce will work in this recipe. However, you could also use sweet Thai chili sauce for a slightly different taste as well.

3. Grape Jelly

It may sound strange, but the sweetness in this easy appetizer meatball recipe comes from grape jelly. However there is no need to splurge on the expensive name brand jelly here.

Store brand jelly works just as well. Just be certain that you purchase jelly and not jam.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COOKING APPETIZER MEATBALLS

Stovetop Instructions:

Add the frozen meatballs to a medium size saucepan. Then pour the chili sauce over the meatballs and then add the grape jelly. Stir to combine.

Cover the pot and turn the burner to medium heat. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring often.

Continue to simmer until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is hot. This should take about 15 minutes. 

Crock Pot Instructions:

If you want to plan ahead, you can make these easy appetizer meatballs in a small 2 Quart Slow Cooker. Start by adding frozen meatballs to crock pot.

Then pour the chili sauce over the meatballs and then add the grape jelly. Stir to combine.

Cover and cook on HIGH power for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is hot. 

Serving Instructions:

Before serving, stir one more time to coat the meatballs. Then using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the meatballs to a serving platter.

Then scoop some of the residual sauce into a dipping bowl and place alongside the serving platter. Finally, place a toothpick in each meatball for easy serving.

Enjoy! Mary

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