Description
Juicy homemade meatballs are simmered with colorful bell peppers, red onion, pineapple, and a glossy sweet and sour sauce for an easy dinner that tastes comforting, bright, and better than takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 small red onion, cut into chunks
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then shape into about 20 to 24 small meatballs.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Transfer to a plate if needed.
- Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion to the skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Stir in the pineapple chunks.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and return the meatballs to the pan. Stir gently to coat everything well.
- Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
- Serve warm over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture, or the texture can turn dense.
- Keep the peppers slightly crisp for the best texture contrast.
- If you want a tangier sauce, add a small splash of extra rice vinegar.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: sweet and sour meatballs, easy meatball dinner, skillet meatballs, pineapple meatballs, bell pepper meatballs, homemade sweet and sour sauce