Famous Meatballs Recipe

Famous Meatballs Recipe

Cook Time: 130 minutes

Looking for a quick and delicious meal? This recipe combines the tangy sweetness of pineapple with savory meatballs, all cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. Perfect for busy days when you want a satisfying dish with minimal effort.

Ingredients

  • 1 (13.25 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 (3 pound) bag frozen cooked meatballs, thawed

Directions

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious, flavorful dish:

  1. Step 1: In a saucepan, pour the pineapple chunks along with the juice.
  2. Step 2: Add the sliced green bell pepper, brown sugar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and lemon juice to the saucepan. Stir everything together until the sugar and cornstarch have dissolved.
  3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cook and stir for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  4. Step 4: Place the thawed meatballs in a slow cooker.
  5. Step 5: Pour the pineapple mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly coated.
  6. Step 6: Set the slow cooker to medium heat and cook for 2 hours. Stir every 30 minutes to keep the meatballs coated in the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Once done, serve the sweet and savory meatballs with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Fact Amount
Calories 611
Total Fat 29g
Saturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 189mg
Sodium 587mg
Total Carbohydrate 46g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 39g
Vitamin C 26mg
Calcium 118mg
Iron 5mg
Potassium 774mg

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Consult a healthcare professional if you have any dietary restrictions.

Comments

Jerry Flores

10/13/2025 05:01:14 PM

My company and I thoroughly enjoyed this dish! I made a few modifications to reduce the sugar content. Here are the changes I made: - Fresh pineapple instead of canned - 8.45 oz. of Trader Joe's Pineapple Juice (not from concentrate) - Used only 3/4 of the can next time - 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup instead of brown sugar - Added water chestnuts for crunch - Included organic carrots for color and extra nutrition - Used Adeil's Chicken, Pineapple, teriyaki meatballs from Costco - Opted for low sodium soy sauce - Added dry mustard to balance out the sweetness - Used tapioca as a thickener instead of corn starch I served this over Gluten-Free Rice Angel Hair pasta drizzled with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a touch of avocado oil to prevent sticking. One of my guests appreciated the change from a traditional red sauce to this delicious sauce. They said it was "a refreshing change from the usual spaghetti sauce."

Jacob Lewis

10/10/2025 09:13:20 PM

I decided to make a smaller portion of this recipe and it turned out fantastic! I bought the Aidell's Chicken Teriyaki pineapple meatballs from Costco, which comes in 46 oz, divided into two 23 oz packages. I used one package and adjusted the other ingredients accordingly. The dish was delicious and super simple to make. I am excited to serve this to my 7 and 8 year old grandkids tonight with some rice - I know they will love it!

Amy Johnson

10/12/2025 11:41:01 PM

I have been using a variation of this recipe for my sweet and sour sauce, minus the lemon juice. I pour it over my ginger-infused meatballs to create a unique flavor. During December, when we attend numerous parties, my husband and I prepare a large batch of meatballs and freeze them. Then, when needed, we simply bake the desired amount, combine them with the sauce in a crock pot, and we are ready to enjoy. The crock pot is always left spotless, a testament to the deliciousness of this dish. Thank you for sharing such a convenient version of the recipe.

Joyce Moore

10/11/2025 04:59:20 AM

Simple and delicious crock pot recipe! The flavor was excellent, especially with the Italian meatballs. I decided to double the amount of meatballs from Costco and triple the sauce. To enhance the sauce, I included 1/2 cup of chopped red onion, used red bell peppers, and opted for fresh pineapple instead of canned, adding 1 cup of water. It turned out fantastic!

Samuel Collins

10/10/2025 04:55:27 AM

Followed the recipe exactly and served it over white rice. I opted for freshly squeezed lemon juice. It was a hit with everyone. Will definitely be making this dish again!

Jose Perez

10/13/2025 09:16:30 PM

Review: Absolutely delicious! The flavors were amazing, and I couldn't get enough of it. I highly recommend trying it out.

Sandra Young

10/10/2025 11:14:25 PM

I made this dish for my husband's birthday (he asked for meatballs) and he absolutely loved it. I enjoyed it too! The only adjustment I made was adding sliced onions. Next time, I will halve the recipe since it's just the two of us.