Description
These Sticky Mongolian Meatballs and Broccoli make a flavorful and satisfying meal, combining tender baked beef meatballs coated in a sweet and savory Mongolian sauce, served alongside crisp-tender sautéed broccoli. This easy-to-make dish balances rich, sticky flavors with fresh vegetable goodness, perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, egg, chopped green onions, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well integrated.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and arrange them evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and nicely browned.
- Make Sauce Base: While meatballs bake, combine soy sauce, water, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken Sauce: In a separate small bowl, stir cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the simmering sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sauté Broccoli: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add broccoli florets and sauté for about 5 minutes until the broccoli is tender yet crisp.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Add the baked meatballs and thickened sauce into the skillet with the sautéed broccoli. Stir well to coat everything evenly with the sticky Mongolian sauce.
- Simmer Together: Allow the combined ingredients to cook together for an additional 3-5 minutes so the flavors meld perfectly.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the sticky meatballs and broccoli to a serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for more color and nutrition.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to complete the meal.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
