Famous Meatballs Recipe
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:
- Step 1: In a saucepan, pour the pineapple chunks along with the juice.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Place the thawed meatballs in a slow cooker.
- Step 5: Pour the pineapple mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- 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.
- 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.