Pineapple Stuffed Hawaiian Meatballs

Sweet and sour meatballs with a pineapple surprise in each one!

I'm a sucker for sweet and sour meatball recipes. There is one I make quite frequently, but I really relished at the idea of pineapple stuffed meatballs. I can't think of a better type of meatball - except maybe cheese stuffed ;) The meatballs themselves would be great without pineapple, but I really really enjoyed having the pineapple surprise (but obviously not that big of a surprise because I made them - but you know what I mean) inside each one.  The sauce was delish and totally a classic sweet and sour sauce. So basically you cannot go wrong with this recipe. It's great!

The recipe below is the full recipe for 50 meatballs. I halved it and made 25 which worked perfectly for us.

(Print)
What you need:
For the meatballs:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup minced dry onions
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. ginger powder
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained - reserve the juice

For the sauce:

• 1 cup reserved pineapple juice, plus some water if needed to make 1 full cup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. hoison sauce
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. Asian sweet red chili sauce
• 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

For adding in:

• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained

For serving:

• Cooked brown or white rice

Directions:

1. For the meatballs: add eggs to a large bowl and gently whisk. Then add remaining meatball ingredients except pineapple and mix until combined.
2. Shape meat into a large 12x8 inch rectangle. Make 10 by 5 rows of pineapples on top of the rectangle. 
3. Slice meat in between pineapple and roll to form meatballs with pineapple in the center.
4. Place meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes in a preheated 425 degree oven.
5. Place meatballs into the slow cooker with red bell, green bell, and pineapple.
6. For the sauce: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Whisk until smooth while bringing to a boil.
7. Then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, stirring constantly.
8. Pour sauce over the meatballs.
9. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours or until cooked through. Stir gently after 1 hour.
10. Serve over rice.

Recipe from Carlsbad Cravings

The classic Fantastical Sweet 'n Sour Meatballs recipe that frequents my household is definitely a keeper, but I've had these Sweet-Sour Cocktail Meatballs from The Culinary Enthusiast on my to-make list for so long - 7 years, in fact. They look so wonderful!

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