Description
Italian-inspired Meatballs and Rice brings comfort to your dinner table with perfectly seasoned ground beef nestled on fluffy rice. Savory spices and tender meat create a classic meal that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound homemade or store-bought meatballs
Main Grains and Liquid:
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice, rinsed
- 3 cups beef broth
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare frozen meatballs by briefly microwaving to partially thaw, ensuring even cooking.
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, coating the surface with olive oil.
- Infuse the oil with minced garlic, sautéing for approximately 60 seconds until aromatic.
- Introduce meatballs into the skillet, rotating periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior.
- Cascade beef broth into the pan, then incorporate rice and complementary seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Elevate heat to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Seal with a tight-fitting lid and allow contents to cook undisturbed for 18 minutes.
- Midway through cooking, delicately redistribute rice to prevent potential scorching.
- After liquid absorption and rice reaching tender consistency, remove from heat source.
- Fold in frozen peas, chopped green onions, and fresh parsley, allowing residual warmth to gently warm vegetables.
- Let mixture rest for 3-4 minutes before transferring to serving plates, accompanying with optional fresh greens for added nutrition.
Notes
- Choose pre-cooked or homemade meatballs to reduce overall cooking time and customize flavor profiles.
- Opt for brown rice or quinoa as healthier whole-grain alternatives that provide additional nutrients and fiber.
- Swap beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version that maintains rich taste complexity.
- Add extra vegetables like diced carrots or bell peppers directly into the skillet for increased nutritional value and color variety.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 363 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg