Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure the meatballs do not stick and to make cleanup much easier later on.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a sturdy spoon to mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat, which can make the meatballs tough.
Scoop about one tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it between your palms to form small, uniform balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each one to allow for even browning.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and slightly browned on the outside. While the meatballs are baking, you can begin preparing your signature holiday sauce.
In a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat, whisk together the jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Continue to whisk and cook for about 5 minutes until the cranberry sauce has melted completely and the mixture is smooth and bubbling.
Once the meatballs are finished baking, carefully transfer them into the saucepan with the cranberry mixture. Toss them gently to coat every piece in the sauce. Let them simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes so the flavors can meld together beautifully.
