Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Recipe
This Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs recipe features fully cooked Italian meatballs simmered in a vibrant sauce made from pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, with fresh green peppers adding a delightful crunch. Perfect served over hot cooked rice, this dish offers a delicious balance of sweet and tangy flavors in a quick and easy meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Meatballs
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 30 frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs (about 15 ounces)
Vegetables
- 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
To Serve
- Hot cooked rice
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Drain the pineapple chunks, reserving the juice. Add water to the juice if needed to measure 1 cup total, then pour this liquid into a large skillet. Add an additional 1/3 cup water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch to the skillet. Stir the mixture until smooth, ensuring the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Cook the sauce: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a sauce-like consistency. This usually takes several minutes to activate the thickening properties of the cornstarch.
- Add ingredients to the skillet: Once the sauce is thickened, add the drained pineapple chunks, frozen meatballs, and cut green pepper pieces into the skillet. Stir gently to combine all ingredients in the sauce.
- Simmer to heat through: Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step ensures that the meatballs are fully heated and the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Spoon the hot sweet-and-sour meatballs and vegetables over hot cooked rice. Enjoy your flavorful and easy meal!
Notes
- Using fully cooked frozen meatballs streamlines preparation time.
- Add more or less sugar based on your preferred sweetness level.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes during the simmering step.
- Other bell pepper colors can be used if green peppers are unavailable.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: sweet and sour meatballs, Italian meatballs, pineapple meatballs, easy dinner recipe, quick stovetop meal, meatballs with pineapple sauce
