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Sweet and Sour Meatballs

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  • Author: Sue
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: About 38 meatballs
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Juicy beef meatballs baked in a tangy-sweet sauce made with pineapple, BBQ, and chili sauce. A comforting, versatile dish perfect for weeknight dinners or parties.


Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • ½ cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
  • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, juices reserved
  • ¾ cup BBQ sauce
  • ½ cup sweet chili sauce
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. Form mixture into meatballs using a scoop or spoon and place them evenly in the prepared dish.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk reserved pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch until smooth.
  5. Pour sauce evenly over the meatballs and sprinkle pineapple chunks on top.
  6. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes, until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce is bubbly.
  7. Serve warm over rice, noodles, or as an appetizer.

Notes

  • Can be made with ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Add bell peppers or shredded carrots for extra color and texture.
  • Teriyaki sauce can replace BBQ sauce for a different flavor.
  • Use pre-cooked meatballs as a shortcut (reduce baking time).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sauce
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 16g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg