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Slow-Cooker Meatball Appetizer Everyone Will Love

Slow-Cooker Cranberry-Chili Meatball Appetizer

Frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs simmer in a sweet, tangy sauce made with cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and orange marmalade. This effortless crockpot appetizer is ideal for holidays, potlucks, game-day gatherings, and family parties.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 package (32 ounces) Frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs
Sauce
  • 1 can (14 ounces) Jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 jar (12 ounces) Chili sauce
  • 1/2 cup Orange marmalade

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Place the frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs in a 3-quart slow cooker.
  2. In a bowl, stir the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, and orange marmalade together until reasonably smooth.
  3. Pour the sauce over the frozen meatballs and toss gently so the sauce coats them without breaking them apart.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or until the meatballs are hot throughout and the sauce is bubbling.
  5. Set the slow cooker to WARM for serving and provide toothpicks or small serving forks.

Notes

Use the meatballs directly from the freezer; thawing is unnecessary and may make them softer. For a smoother sauce, briefly microwave the cranberry sauce before mixing it with the chili sauce and marmalade.