Description
These Hawaiian Meatballs combine juicy baked beef meatballs with a sweet and tangy pineapple and bell pepper sauce, offering a tropical twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, these meatballs are baked to perfection and simmered in a flavorful sauce made with pineapple juice, ketchup, and soy sauce, creating a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
- 1 cup bell peppers, red and green, chopped
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup reserved pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined to ensure flavorful and moist meatballs.
- Form and Bake Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on a lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 15–18 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through and nicely browned.
- Make the Sauce: While the meatballs bake, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, reserved pineapple juice, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce in a bowl to create the sweet and tangy sauce base.
- Sauté Vegetables and Pineapple: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bell peppers and pineapple chunks, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften and release their flavors.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables and pineapple. Stir continuously and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients nicely.
- Combine Meatballs with Sauce: Add the baked meatballs to the skillet and toss gently to coat them evenly with the sauce. Let everything simmer together for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the sauce flavors.
- Serve: Serve the Hawaiian Meatballs warm over steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal with a tropical flair.
Notes
- These meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for convenient meal prep.
- For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
- Make sure to drain the pineapple chunks well to avoid a watery sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
