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Home » Holiday Recipes » New Year's

Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs

A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.
By Tiffany
Modified: Mar 22, 2026 · Published: Aug 19, 2024

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Baked sweet and sour meatballs are made with ground beef meatballs baked to perfection, and coated in a tangy-sweet sauce to give it that perfect yin and yang balance of flavor.

A white platter of sweet and sour meatballs. A hand is holding a meatball by a toothpick.

My sweet and sour meatball recipe is a family favorite. They’re actually a recipe from my mother that she made when I was a little girl.

They’re baked to perfection and coated in a tangy sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sour.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your loved ones, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your household.

Let’s dive into making this delectable dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table!

Meatball Ingredients

  • Ground Beef
  • Bread Crumbs
  • Eggs
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Parsley
  • Minced Garlic
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients

  • Ketchup
  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Lemon Juice
  • Soy Sauce

How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

  • Preheat oven to 425℉. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
A large round white bowl of ingredients sits on a white background. The bowl is filled with raw ground beef, two eggs, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, minced garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes.
A large round white bowl of raw ground beef mixture.
  • In a large bowl combine meatball ingredients and mix until just blended together. Do not overmix because this can cause the ground beef to become tough.
  • Shape the meatball mixture into 1″ meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
A large baking sheet lined with aluminum foil that has eight rows of five Italian baked meatballs that are uncooked.
A closeup of baked Italian meatballs lined up on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake meatballs for 8 minutes until juices run clear.
  • While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce. Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
An overhead view of a round white bowl with red sweet and sour sauce. A spoon is held by a hand over the bowl and has a spoonful of sweet and sour sauce.
  • Microwave the sauce for 30-60 seconds. Spoon sauce over meatballs and serve.
  • Want to keep them heated longer or serve them at a party? Keep them heated in your slow cooker for 2-3 hours using the warm setting.

What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and sour meatballs pair well with a variety of side dishes that complement their tangy and savory flavor. Here are some great options to serve with them:

  1. Steamed White Rice: Fluffy white or jasmine rice topped with sliced green onions helps soak up the delicious sauce.
  2. Fried Rice: Adds extra flavor and texture, making the meal more satisfying.
  3. Noodles: Stir-fried or plain egg noodles provide a hearty base.
  4. Vegetable Stir-Fry: A mix of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas adds freshness and crunch.
  5. Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes offer a comforting contrast to the tangy meatballs.
  6. Pineapple Chunks: Fresh pineapple chunks add a delicious sweetness to sweet and sour meatballs.
An oval white platter with sweet and sour meatballs piled on it. They're topped with fresh parsley flakes.

Storing Leftovers

Cooked meatballs can last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.

If you need to store them longer, consider freezing them for up to 2-3 months.

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A white platter of sweet and sour meatballs. A hand is holding a meatball by a toothpick.

Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Tiffany
Baked sweet and sour meatballs are made with ground beef meatballs baked to perfection, and coated in a tangy-sweet sauce to give it that perfect yin and yang balance of flavor.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 16 minutes mins
Total Time 26 minutes mins
Course Appetizers, Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 52 Meatballs
Calories 37 kcal

Equipment

  • Nordic Ware Baking Sheets

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • ⅓ cup Bread Crumbs
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley
  • 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 1 cup Ketchup
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce

Instructions
 

Meatballs

  • Preheat oven to 425℉. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl combine meatball ingredients and mix until just blended together. Do not overmix because this can cause the ground beef to become tough.
  • Shape the ground beef mixture into 1" meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake meatballs for 8 minutes until juices run clear.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce. Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Microwave the sauce for 30-60 seconds. Spoon sauce over meatballs and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 174mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 54IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg

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A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.

Hello! I'm Tiffany.

I'm the recipe developer and food photographer behind Simply Happenings. I'm also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and I live in the great Midwest. I like to feature high-protein recipes, one-pot meals, and delicious recipes you can cook with your favorite household appliances.

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