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Sweet And Sour Meatballs With Pineapple Sauce 1758957891.144084

Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple Sauce

  • Author: Liana Brooks
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-5 servings (24-30 meatballs) 1x
  • Diet: General

Description

This Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple Sauce recipe offers a classic taste with a simple, family-friendly approach, perfect for a quick and wholesome weeknight dinner. The sweet tang of pineapple in the rich sauce coats juicy meatballs, creating an amazing aroma.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20 for juicy results)
  • 0.5 cup plain breadcrumbs (or panko, or crushed crackers)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 0.5 cup ketchup
  • 0.25 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 large bell pepper (any color, or a mix), diced
  • 0.5 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare Meatballs: Gently combine 1 lb ground beef, 0.5 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 1 tsp onion powder, 0.5 tsp garlic powder, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper in a large bowl. Mix just until combined; overworking leads to tough meatballs. Form into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls, yielding about 24-30.
  2. Brown Meatballs: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large 10-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown meatballs on all sides for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and nicely colored. Remove and set aside; they don’t need to be cooked through yet.
  3. Whip Up Sauce: In the same skillet, whisk together undrained crushed pineapple, 0.5 cup ketchup, 0.25 cup brown sugar, 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar, and 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until fragrant.
  4. Thicken And Simmer: Whisk 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 2 Tbsp cold water for a slurry. Stir this into the simmering sauce. Add diced bell pepper and onion. Return meatballs to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens to coat a spoon. (If the sauce seems too thin, remove meatballs and bring sauce to a rolling boil for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly.)
  5. Serve Hot: Serve your delicious Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple Sauce immediately over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

Notes

Smart Swaps & Optional Upgrades: Consider ground turkey for a leaner alternative to beef. For a spicier kick, add a dash of sriracha to the sauce. Garnish the finished dish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for extra flair. Shortcut Alert: For an even faster dinner, use pre-made frozen meatballs (adjust simmering time in Step 4 to 15-20 minutes). Common Mistake to Avoid: Overworking the meatball mixture leads to tough, dense meatballs. Mix just until combined for tender results.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 meatballs
  • Calories: 480 calories
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: easy dinner, weeknight meal, sweet and sour, meatballs, pineapple, family-friendly, ground beef, stovetop

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Find it online: https://easydashrecipes.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs-with-pineapple-sauce/