One-Skillet Meatballs and Rice: A Cozy Family Dinner Solution

ByEmily Main Dishes
# One-Skillet Meatballs and Rice: A Cozy Family Dinner Solution This hearty one-skillet meatballs and rice recipe combines the comfort of homestyle cooking with the convenience of a single-pan meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish brings together tender meatballs, fluffy rice, and bright vegetables in a savory blend that's both satisfying and simple to prepare. ## Ingredients ### Main Components: - 1 pound (450g) homemade or store-bought meatballs - 1½ cups (300g) uncooked rice, rinsed - 3 cups (710ml) beef broth - 1½ cups (225g) frozen peas - 2 teaspoons (10ml) olive oil ### Aromatics and Seasonings: - 3 cloves garlic (9g), crushed and minced - ½ teaspoon (2g) garlic powder - ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) black pepper - ½ teaspoon (2.5g) kosher salt ### Fresh Herbs and Garnishes: - ½ cup (50g) green onions, chopped - ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped (optional) ## Step-by-Step Instructions 1. **Prepare the Meatballs (5 minutes)** - If using frozen meatballs, thaw in microwave - They don't need to be completely thawed - Set aside while preparing other ingredients 2. **Start the Base (3-4 minutes)** - Heat high-sided skillet over medium-high heat - Add olive oil and wait for it to shimmer - Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant - Be careful not to burn the garlic 3. **Cook the Meatballs (2-3 minutes)** - Add meatballs to the skillet - Brown lightly on all sides - They will continue cooking with the rice 4. **Combine Rice and Liquid (5 minutes)** - Add beef broth to the skillet - Stir in rinsed rice - Add garlic powder, pepper, and salt - Scrape bottom of pan to release browned bits - Bring mixture to a boil 5. **Simmer the Dish (15-20 minutes)** - Reduce heat to low - Cover skillet with lid - Simmer for 15-20 minutes - Check at 15 minutes to prevent sticking - Rice should be tender and liquid absorbed 6. **Finish and Serve (5 minutes)** - Remove from heat - Adjust seasoning to taste - Stir in frozen peas - Add green onions and parsley - Cover until peas are heated through ## Nutritional Information (per serving) - Calories: 425 - Protein: 25g - Carbohydrates: 48g - Fat: 16g - Fiber: 4g - Sodium: 680mg - Serving size: 1/6 of recipe **Timing:** - Prep Time: 10 minutes - Cook Time: 25-30 minutes - Total Time: 35-40 minutes - Servings: 6 ## Professional Cooking Tips 1. **Rice Preparation:** - Rinse rice until water runs clear - Use proper liquid-to-rice ratio - Don't lift lid while cooking 2. **Meatball Selection:** - Choose meatballs sized 1-1.5 inches - Ensure even sizing for consistent cooking - Italian-style or basic beef both work well 3. **Pan Selection:** - Use heavy-bottomed skillet - Ensure lid fits tightly - 12-inch diameter minimum recommended ## Variations and Substitutions 1. **Rice Options:** - Brown rice (adjust cooking time) - Jasmine rice - Basmati rice 2. **Vegetable Variations:** - Mixed frozen vegetables - Baby spinach - Diced carrots - Sweet corn 3. **Broth Alternatives:** - Chicken broth - Vegetable broth - Low-sodium options ## Common FAQs **Q: Can I use homemade meatballs?** A: Yes, pre-cook them slightly before adding to ensure food safety. **Q: Why is my rice still crunchy?** A: Add ¼ cup more hot broth and continue cooking covered for 5 minutes. **Q: Can I make this ahead?** A: Yes, but rice may become softer. Reheat with a splash of broth. **Q: Can I freeze leftovers?** A: Yes, freeze for up to 3 months in airtight container. ## Storage and Make-Ahead Tips **Storage:** - Refrigerate in airtight container for 3-4 days - Keep garnishes separate - Store rice and meatballs together **Make-Ahead Options:** - Prep meatballs in advance - Chop garnishes day before - Pre-measure dry ingredients **Reheating Instructions:** - Microwave: 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway - Stovetop: Low heat with splash of broth - Add fresh herbs after reheating This versatile one-pan meal is perfect for busy families and can be easily customized to suit different tastes. Serve it with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. The leftovers make excellent lunch portions and can be enhanced with additional fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil when serving.

This hearty one-skillet meatballs and rice recipe combines the comfort of homestyle cooking with the convenience of a single-pan meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish brings together tender meatballs, fluffy rice, and bright vegetables in a savory blend that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Main Components:

  • 1 pound (450g) homemade or store-bought meatballs
  • 1½ cups (300g) uncooked rice, rinsed
  • 3 cups (710ml) beef broth
  • 1½ cups (225g) frozen peas
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) olive oil

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 3 cloves garlic (9g), crushed and minced
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5g) kosher salt

Fresh Herbs and Garnishes:

  • ½ cup (50g) green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs (5 minutes)
  • If using frozen meatballs, thaw in microwave
  • They don’t need to be completely thawed
  • Set aside while preparing other ingredients
  1. Start the Base (3-4 minutes)
  • Heat high-sided skillet over medium-high heat
  • Add olive oil and wait for it to shimmer
  • Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant
  • Be careful not to burn the garlic
  1. Cook the Meatballs (2-3 minutes)
  • Add meatballs to the skillet
  • Brown lightly on all sides
  • They will continue cooking with the rice
  1. Combine Rice and Liquid (5 minutes)
  • Add beef broth to the skillet
  • Stir in rinsed rice
  • Add garlic powder, pepper, and salt
  • Scrape bottom of pan to release browned bits
  • Bring mixture to a boil
  1. Simmer the Dish (15-20 minutes)
  • Reduce heat to low
  • Cover skillet with lid
  • Simmer for 15-20 minutes
  • Check at 15 minutes to prevent sticking
  • Rice should be tender and liquid absorbed
  1. Finish and Serve (5 minutes)
  • Remove from heat
  • Adjust seasoning to taste
  • Stir in frozen peas
  • Add green onions and parsley
  • Cover until peas are heated through

Nutritional Information (per serving)

  • Calories: 425
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fat: 16g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Serving size: 1/6 of recipe

Timing:

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Servings: 6

Professional Cooking Tips

  1. Rice Preparation:
  • Rinse rice until water runs clear
  • Use proper liquid-to-rice ratio
  • Don’t lift lid while cooking
  1. Meatball Selection:
  • Choose meatballs sized 1-1.5 inches
  • Ensure even sizing for consistent cooking
  • Italian-style or basic beef both work well
  1. Pan Selection:
  • Use heavy-bottomed skillet
  • Ensure lid fits tightly
  • 12-inch diameter minimum recommended

Variations and Substitutions

  1. Rice Options:
  • Brown rice (adjust cooking time)
  • Jasmine rice
  • Basmati rice
  1. Vegetable Variations:
  • Mixed frozen vegetables
  • Baby spinach
  • Diced carrots
  • Sweet corn
  1. Broth Alternatives:
  • Chicken broth
  • Vegetable broth
  • Low-sodium options

Common FAQs

Q: Can I use homemade meatballs?
A: Yes, pre-cook them slightly before adding to ensure food safety.

Q: Why is my rice still crunchy?
A: Add ¼ cup more hot broth and continue cooking covered for 5 minutes.

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes, but rice may become softer. Reheat with a splash of broth.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, freeze for up to 3 months in airtight container.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Storage:

  • Refrigerate in airtight container for 3-4 days
  • Keep garnishes separate
  • Store rice and meatballs together

Make-Ahead Options:

  • Prep meatballs in advance
  • Chop garnishes day before
  • Pre-measure dry ingredients

Reheating Instructions:

  • Microwave: 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway
  • Stovetop: Low heat with splash of broth
  • Add fresh herbs after reheating

This versatile one-pan meal is perfect for busy families and can be easily customized to suit different tastes. Serve it with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. The leftovers make excellent lunch portions and can be enhanced with additional fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil when serving.