Description

Juicy meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a vibrant sweet and sour sauce with pineapple and bell peppers. This versatile dish is perfect over rice or served as a party appetizer.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp cornstarch

1/2 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple chunks)

1 cup pineapple chunks

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, onion, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange them evenly on the baking sheet.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
While the meatballs bake, make the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, and pineapple juice until smooth.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and stir until it thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
Add chopped bell peppers and pineapple chunks. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.
Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and gently stir to coat.
Simmer everything together for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serve hot over steamed rice or as a party appetizer.

Notes

Swap ground beef for ground chicken or turkey for a leaner version.

Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for extra heat.

Serve with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Snap peas or carrots can be added for extra crunch and color.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for later use.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 320
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 85mg