Description
Juicy meatballs from Southern Italy dance with tangy sauce in this irresistible classic recipe. Rich flavors and hearty ingredients create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Base Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large onions (1 shredded/finely chopped, 1 diced)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¼ cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Vegetable and Fruit Ingredients:
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup pineapple chunks
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
- Create uniform, golf ball-sized meatballs by thoroughly mixing all meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of components.
- Choose your cooking method: air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193 degrees Celsius) for approximately 10 minutes, rotating the basket midway to guarantee uniform browning, or alternatively bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Develop the sauce by whisking all sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify while preparing other components.
- Warm vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat, introducing diced onions and vibrant bell peppers, quickly sautéing for approximately 60 seconds to maintain crisp texture.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture, stirring constantly for 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors without burning.
- Gradually pour prepared sauce into the wok, continuously stirring to create a glossy, slightly thickened consistency that coats the vegetables smoothly.
- Gently fold cooked meatballs and sweet pineapple chunks into the sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated and heated through for an additional two minutes.
- Transfer the piping hot mixture directly over steamed rice, serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and flavor profile.
Notes
- Prepare meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate for firmer texture before cooking.
- Opt for lean ground meat to reduce excess grease in the final dish.
- Shake air fryer basket midway through cooking ensures even browning and prevents sticking.
- Sauce thickens quickly, so watch carefully and stir constantly to avoid burning.
- Pineapple chunks add unexpected sweetness and balance to the savory meatball flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg