Description
Tender beef meatballs baked until juicy, then coated in a glossy sweet and sour sauce with pineapple, bell peppers, and onion for a quick and flavorful homemade dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small yellow onion, cut into chunks
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained, with 3/4 cup juice reserved
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a sheet pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into about 20 meatballs and place them on the prepared sheet pan.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Stir in the pineapple chunks.
- In a bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and water.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer.
- Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water, then stir into the sauce and cook until thickened and glossy.
- Add the baked meatballs and toss to coat, simmering for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Adjust sweetness or tang by balancing sugar and vinegar to taste.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.8g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: sweet and sour meatballs, easy meatball recipe, pineapple meatballs, homemade takeout, quick dinner