My cousin brought these oven baked 3-ingredient cranberry BBQ meatballs to a family cookout last summer, and I am not exaggerating when I say people were hovering over the dish, grabbing them straight from the pan. They’re one of those almost-embarrassingly-easy recipes that taste like you fussed for hours: frozen meatballs, a bottle of BBQ sauce, and a can of cranberry sauce. That’s it.
They bake up glossy and sticky with caramelized edges, and the sweet-tangy glaze makes them disappear fast—perfect for parties, game days, or nights when you want something fun without a ton of work.
Serve these cranberry BBQ meatballs straight from the oven in a shallow white serving dish with toothpicks or small forks for easy grabbing. They’re great alongside simple cookout classics like coleslaw, potato salad, or corn on the cob, and they pair well with a tray of raw veggies and ranch to balance the richness.
If you want to turn them into a meal, spoon them over buttered egg noodles, steamed rice, or mashed potatoes so all that extra glossy sauce has something to soak into. A crisp green salad or roasted green beans on the side keeps everything feeling a little lighter.
Weight Watchers Friendly – 4 Points per Serving (Makes 8 servings)
Ingredients
- 24 oz frozen turkey meatballs (lean, fully cooked)
- 1 cup no-sugar-added BBQ sauce
- 1 cup whole cranberry sauce with no added sugar (or homemade cranberry puree)
- Optional: chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce until smooth.
- Add the turkey meatballs and toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer everything to a lightly greased baking dish.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the meatballs are hot and the sauce is bubbling.
- Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired and serve warm.
Weight Watchers Points
4 Points per serving (1/8 of the recipe)
Serving Ideas (Low Point):
- Serve over steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice.
- Pair with roasted green beans or a side salad.
- Use as an appetizer with toothpicks for parties.
Lasha