Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Prep Time: 15 min	Cook Time: 40 min
Total Time: 55 min	Servings: 4

Introduction

Experience the perfect balance of flavors with these Sweet and Sour Meatballs! This family-friendly recipe combines tender, juicy meatballs with a homemade sweet and sour sauce, creating an irresistible dish that both kids and adults will love. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun party appetizer, this simple recipe allows everyone to get involved in the kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 egg

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup diced onion

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

  
  

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• ½ cup ketchup

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

  
  

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   
   

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon.

   
   

3. Form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

   
   

4. Bake the meatballs for 25-30 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.

   
   

5. While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground ginger.

   
   

6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

   
   

7. Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and pour the sweet and sour sauce over the top, ensuring each meatball is evenly coated.

   
   

Serving Suggestions

Serve Sweet and Sour Meatballs over steamed rice or noodles, alongside stir-fried vegetables, or as a tasty party appetizer with decorative toothpicks for easy serving.

Cooking Tips

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.

  
  

• To make the meatballs gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or swap them for almond meal.

  
  

• To adjust the sweetness and sourness of the sauce, modify the amounts of brown sugar and apple cider vinegar to suit your taste preferences.

  
  

Nutritional Facts

Calories	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Fiber	Net Carbs
430 Kcal	25g	20g	25g	1g	24g