Meatballs My Gran's Way Recipe

This recipe, passed down through generations, delivers unbelievably delicious meatballs simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. Succulent meatballs, bursting with flavor, are slow-cooked to perfection in a rich blend of pineapple, brown sugar, and tangy spices. Served over fluffy rice, this comforting classic is a guaranteed family favorite! Perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 90 mins
Calories 403.3 kcal
Protein 7g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
Meatballs My Gran's Way 35

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Meatballs My Gran's Way

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How to Make Meatballs My Gran's Way

  1. Soak 1/2 cup raisins in 1 cup hot water for 2 hours.
  2. Soak 1/2 cup bread cubes briefly in 1/2 cup milk. Squeeze out excess milk and flake into 1 lb ground meat.
  3. Add 1 large egg to the meat mixture.
  4. Drain the raisins and add them to the meat mixture.
  5. Gently mix all ingredients. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  6. Brown the meatballs in 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat until golden brown on all sides.
  7. Transfer the browned meatballs to a large casserole dish.
  8. In a saucepan, combine the reserved raisin soaking liquid (1 cup), 1/2 cup juice from a 20 oz can of pineapple pieces, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
  9. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have melded (about 5 minutes).
  10. Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to form a slurry. Gradually whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce to thicken.
  11. Add the drained pineapple pieces (reserve some for garnish if desired) to the sauce.
  12. Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the casserole dish.
  13. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil.
  14. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 1/4 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
  15. Serve hot over rice. Garnish with reserved pineapple pieces (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

19 g

Sugar

238g

Fat

9g

Carbs

29g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes The Americas American Southern

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion South West Pacific Low Protein Healthy Main Dish Beef Fruit Easy Beginner Cook Dinner Party Holiday Event Kid Friendly Low Fat Romantic Dietary One Dish Meal Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Inexpensive Healthy 2 New Zealand Low In Something Tropical Fruit Pineapple Meat Taste Mood Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less