Pineapple Appetizer Meatballs

Name: Pineapple Appetizer Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple; 1 egg; 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage; 1/2 pound ground beef; GLAZE:; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup white vinegar; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons Dijon-mayonnaise blend

Karen Mellinger Baker of Dover, Ohio blends a can of crushed pineapple into her meatballs to create a taste-tempting treat. Best of all, the sweet and tangy glaze that coats this big batch of bite-size snacks is a snap to prepare.

Ingredients

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple
1 egg
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
GLAZE:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons Dijon-mayonnaise blend

Directions

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Place pineapple and 2 tablespoons juice in a large bowl (set the remaining juice aside for glaze). Add the egg, bread crumbs and pepper to pineapple. Crumble sausage and beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls.
Place meatballs on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 12-15 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine glaze ingredients and reserved pineapple juice. Add meatballs. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

Originally published as Appetizer Meatballs in Quick Cooking September/October 1998

Reviews

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Average Rating:

scqfishinggirl

Sep 8, 2013

These hummers are absolutely amazing! As another cook suggested, I substituted ground turkey for the beef but kept everything else the same and followed the method exactly. My family typically turns up their nose at ground turkey, so it was my little secret when I served them. My family loved this recipe so much, I wished I had made two batches! Although there is sausage included, it isn't overpowering at all. What a great change from the classic, DRY sausage balls and BBQ meatballs. This will become a regular around my house! I might add that next time I plan to turn the meatballs over half-way through the cooking time so they'll brown nicely on both sides. Scared me to death to cook them at such a high temperature, but they turned out perfectly. A big thank you to whoever provided this recipe. Yummers!
lholzwarth2004

Jul 6, 2013

Followed the recipe exactly using my own homemade sausage mixture. Made the day before for the party and reheated in the microwave. The meat mixture felt surprisingly wet but shaped well in to meatballs and held their shape after cooking and reheating. Not one meatball was left. Absolutely a keeper!
Lindzh90

Feb 3, 2013

This was so good!!! The meat is juicy, not dry at all and the glaze is excellent. Will make again!
Snowy55

Dec 31, 2011

I dont eat red beef so I used ground turkey mixed with sausage and that still tastes so GREAT!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!
horse_girl87

Oct 2, 2011

Very easy and uncomplicated. I doubled the meats and after making the meatballs ended up freezing the extra for a quick meal. Also just added any extra pineapple and juice to the sauce
pamela0978

Dec 20, 2010

I made these for a potluck at work. They were a HUGE hit. I had so many requests for the recipe. I'm definitely making another batch of these!
trcquilts

Mar 13, 2010

These were easy and tasted wonderful.
leoleousch

Dec 31, 2009

The sauce/glaze is delicious.I usually bake my meatballs around 350. I put the first batch in at 450 and the bottoms were starting to burn before the time was up. So I cooked them at a lower temp.