Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple and Bell Pepper (Print version)

Juicy baked meatballs simmered with pineapple chunks and bell peppers in a glossy sweet and sour sauce. An easy family-friendly dinner in about 40 minutes.

# Ingredients:

For the meatballs

01 - 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1/4 cup finely minced onion
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the sauce and vegetables

09 - 1 can (14 oz / 398 g) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (juice reserved)
10 - 1/2 cup ketchup
11 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
12 - 1/4 cup white vinegar
13 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
14 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
15 - 1/2 cup water
16 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
17 - 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
18 - 1 small onion, cut into wedges
19 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

# Instructions:

01 - Gently combine the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced onion, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Roll into 1-inch balls and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
02 - Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Remove and set aside.
03 - While the meatballs bake, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and onion and cook until they just start to soften at the edges, about 4 minutes.
04 - In a bowl, stir together the reserved pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water until the cornstarch dissolves completely.
05 - Pour the sauce into the skillet with the peppers. Bring to a gentle boil and stir for about 3 minutes until the sauce turns glossy and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
06 - Add the baked meatballs and pineapple chunks to the skillet. Stir to coat every piece. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve hot over steamed rice.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served immediately over steamed rice while the sauce is glossy.
02 - If using medium ground beef, drain any excess fat from the baking sheet before adding to the sauce.

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