Meatballs and rice is a comfort food I love during the winter months. Juicy meatballs in seasoned rice pilaf is the perfect dish that takes minutes to make and perfect with a crunchy salad and warm bread.
Rice and meatballs is one of my favorites and will be yours too.
Meatballs and Rice Recipe
The meatballs can be made with ground turkey, chicken, beef or pork sausage. It is up to you.
Rice and Meatballs Recipe
Meatballs
1 lb ground meat (I use chicken or turkey)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
PREHEAT oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parment paper.
Roll into twelve balls and place on prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Rice
2 cups raw long grain white rice
1/4 cup orzo pasta
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
2 TBS finely chopped red pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
3-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
green onion, garnish (optional)
Meanwhile while the meatballs are baking…
In a heavy skillet melt the butter and add the white rice, orzo pasta, red pepper and chopped onion. Saute until the orzo begins to turn light golden brown. Add the spices and stir well. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and put on a serving dish or plate. Garnish with chopped green onion. When the meatballs are done, arrange around the rice or place on top of the rice pilaf.
Recipe Notes
Meatballs:
I like to use a mixture of 1/2 lb of ground beef and 1/2 lb of bulk sausage (the sausage can be spicy if you want). You don’t need the spices if you use spicy bulk sausage.