Discover the ultimate weeknight meal that perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors. This recipe for Pork Meatballs with Sweet Potato is a simple, one-pan wonder that delivers a delicious and comforting dinner with minimal cleanup. It’s a wholesome, satisfying dish that will quickly become a family favorite.
We combine juicy, flavorful pork meatballs with tender, caramelized sweet potatoes, all roasted to perfection on a single sheet pan. A simple glaze ties everything together, creating a meal that is both incredibly easy to make and impressively tasty. Get ready to transform your dinner routine.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Meatballs with Sweet Potato Recipe
This isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a solution for busy evenings. The magic lies in its simplicity and the incredible depth of flavor you get from just a few key ingredients. It’s the kind of meal that tastes complex but is secretly straightforward.
You’ll appreciate the minimal prep time and the hands-off cooking approach. While it roasts in the oven, you have time to relax or prepare a simple side. It’s a fantastic recipe for both novice cooks and seasoned pros looking for a reliable and delicious meal.
The Key Ingredients for Success
The beauty of this dish is its reliance on simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring these amazing flavors to life.
For the Pork Meatballs
- Ground Pork: The star of the show. Use an 80/20 blend for the best flavor and moisture.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These create a lighter, more tender meatball compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Provides a foundational savory flavor base.
- Dried Herbs: A touch of dried sage or thyme complements the pork beautifully.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning.
For the Sweet Potatoes & Glaze
- Sweet Potatoes: Choose firm sweet potatoes and cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking. If you enjoy roasted sweet potatoes, you should try our miso-glazed sweet potato bowl recipe.
- Olive Oil: Helps the sweet potatoes caramelize in the oven.
- Maple Syrup: The heart of the glaze, adding a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the pork and sweet potato.
- Soy Sauce: Provides a salty, umami kick to balance the sweetness of the syrup.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and complexity to the glaze.
How to Make Pork Meatballs with Sweet Potato: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect sheet pan dinner. We’ve broken it down to ensure your meal is flawless from start to finish.
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. This is a crucial step for any great sheet pan recipe, including our popular bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer on one half of the prepared baking sheet.
- Mix and Form the Meatballs: In the same bowl, combine the ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—be careful not to overmix. Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange them on the other half of the baking sheet.
- First Bake: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. This initial roasting gives the sweet potatoes a head start and begins cooking the meatballs.
- Make the Glaze: While everything is baking, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
- Glaze and Finish: After 15 minutes, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Drizzle half of the glaze over the meatballs and sweet potatoes, gently tossing to coat. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized.
Tips for the Perfect Sheet Pan Dinner
A few simple tricks can elevate your pork meatballs and sweet potatoes from good to absolutely amazing.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Ensure all ingredients are in a single layer. Use two sheet pans if necessary to give everything enough space to roast, not steam.
- Uniform Size: Cut your sweet potatoes into similar-sized cubes and make your meatballs a consistent size to ensure everything cooks evenly.
- Check for Doneness: The safest way to know if your pork meatballs are cooked is to use a meat thermometer. They should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Broil for Extra Color: If you want a little more caramelization, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning!
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to make it your own with these simple swaps and additions.
- Different Meats: Ground turkey or chicken would also work well in this recipe.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other hearty vegetables like broccoli florets, sliced red onion, or bell peppers during the last 15 minutes of roasting.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture or a dash of sriracha to the glaze for a little heat.
What to Serve with Pork Meatballs
While this is a fantastic one-pan meal on its own, you can easily round it out with a few simple sides. Serve it over a bed of fluffy quinoa or white rice to soak up the extra glaze. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing also provides a fresh, crisp contrast. For a heartier meal, it pairs wonderfully with a comforting recipe like our famous Marry Me Chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can do some prep in advance. The meatballs can be mixed and formed up to 24 hours ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also peel and cube the sweet potatoes and store them in water in the fridge to prevent browning.
Absolutely. Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent substitutes for pork in this recipe. Just be mindful that they are leaner, so the cooking time might need to be adjusted slightly to avoid drying them out.
The most reliable way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the pork meatballs should reach 160°F (71°C). Visually, they should be browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center.
This recipe is very flexible! Hearty vegetables like broccoli florets, chopped Brussels sprouts, sliced red onion, or bell pepper chunks are great additions. Add them to the pan with the sweet potatoes or during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, depending on the vegetable.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
The Perfect Pork Meatballs with Sweet Potato Recipe
Pork Meatballs with Sweet Potato (Easy Sheet Pan Dinner)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them in a single layer on one half of the prepared baking sheet.
- In the same bowl, combine ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Form into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the other half of the baking sheet.
- Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- While baking, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Drizzle the glaze over the meatballs and sweet potatoes. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through (160°F) and sweet potatoes are tender.
Notes
For extra caramelization, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
Save This Recipe for Later!
We hope you love this simple and delicious Pork Meatballs with Sweet Potato recipe! It’s the perfect dish to add to your weeknight dinner rotation. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
