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    Meals » Recipes » Appetizers

    Homemade Cocktail Party Meatballs

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Nov 22, 2017 · Modified: Feb 12, 2021 by Dee

    These Homemade Cocktail Party Meatballs simmer in a tangy sauce and are perfect for holiday entertaining, gameday or as easy appetizers for any occasion.

    Jump to Recipe -

    homemade cocktail party meatballs with tangy red sauce in serving dish

     

    You guys, these easy homemade cocktail party meatballs are the bomb. My parents used to serve these meatballs at their annual holiday parties, and they always went fast. If you're looking for a new and completely delicious holiday appetizer, which just happens to be gluten free, you'll definitely want to check these out!

    This recipe for cocktail meatballs is one of those tried and true recipes that has been tested, made and shared with family and friends for years. My mom got if from my grandma, who got it from one of her friends, who was known for throwing fabulous parties. You get the idea.

    Of course, making meatballs from scratch is a lot more work than using frozen meatballs, but that's what they did back in the day.  My parents used to enlist as much help as possible before every party, which made things a little bit easier. In fact, I think I was on the meatball rolling committee a few times.

    Now, of course, you can easily use frozen meatballs. I usually use them whenever I make party appetizers, and it makes things so much easier. But if you want something extra special, homemade meatballs are the way to go!

     

    roll homemade cocktail party meatballs in hand

    Did I also mention that these meatballs are gluten free? That's right -- This recipe uses shredded potatoes instead of breadcrumbs to bind the meatballs together and prevent them from drying out.

    Oh, and there's red wine in the sauce. The recipe calls for dry red wine, and I used our favorite cabernet sauvignon. Just about any red wine would work as long as it's not sweet. The alcohol burns off as the sauce cooks, but the wine really adds to the flavor.

    If you don't want to use wine, try using beef stock, instead. Just make sure the stock is gluten free, if that's what you need.

    homemade cocktail party meatballs red sauce

    The meatballs bake in the oven, and you can make the sauce while the meatballs are cooking. When the meatballs are done, you can either pour the sauce over them and serve them immediately. Or, you can add everything to your Crock-Pot and let it all simmer until you're ready to serve.

    Personally, I think the meatballs are better the longer they simmer in the sauce. And, they're even better the next day!

     Looking for more easy meatball recipes?

    • Easy Homemade Meatballs
    • Crock-Pot Cranberry Orange Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle BBQ Meatballs

    homemade cocktail party meatballs in a white square bowl

    How to Make Homemade Cocktail Party Meatballs

    homemade cocktail party meatballs on a white plate

    Homemade Cocktail Party Meatballs

    Published by Dee
    Homemade cocktail party meatballs in a tangy red sauce are made from scratch and are naturally gluten free. Bake them in the oven and let them simmer in your slow cooker for easy entertaining!
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 40
    Calories 55 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Meatballs

    • 2 pounds lean ground beef
    • 1 small potato, peeled and finely shredded (about ⅔ cup)
    • 1 small onion minced
    • 1 egg
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    For the Sauce

    • 1 15-oz can tomato sauce (about 1 ½ cups)
    • 1 cup dry red wine
    • ⅔ cup brown sugar
    • 1 lemon, juice of
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, shredded potato, egg, onion, salt and pepper, and mix well
    • Form mixture into 1-inch balls, and place on foil-lined baking sheet
    • Bake for 20 minutes, or until brown and internal temperature is 160 degrees
    • While meatballs are baking, mix the tomato sauce, wine, browns sugar, lemon juice and garlic powder in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium high heat
    • Reduce heat, and let simmer until mixture starts to thicken
    • Add meatballs to slow cooker, cover with sauce, and cook on low until ready to serve

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 55kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 5gFat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 106mgSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1.9mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy these easy homemade cocktail party meatballs as much as we do! Sharing this recipe with the Weekend Potluck ladies.

    Happy Munching,

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says

      November 27, 2017 at 9:04 am

      These are always such a hit!

      Reply
    2. Krista says

      November 24, 2017 at 8:47 pm

      These need to be at all my parties!

      Reply
    3. Nutmeg Nanny says

      November 22, 2017 at 10:34 pm

      Saving this for the next time I am in charge of making an appetizer!

      Reply
    4. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

      November 22, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Can't have a holiday party without them!

      Reply
    5. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 22, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      These are so perfect for entertaining!

      Reply
    6. Jen says

      November 22, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      Meatballs are always a hit and the first appetizer to disappear! Love them!!

      Reply
    7. Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says

      November 22, 2017 at 12:18 pm

      What more would you need at a party! These look so good!

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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