These incredibly flavorful meatballs with perfectly seasoned brown rice will become your new favorite comfort food! This secret recipe combines tender, juicy beef meatballs in a rich tomato-cream sauce alongside aromatic turmeric rice with colorful vegetables. It’s an affordable, satisfying meal that delivers restaurant-quality taste right from your kitchen. Get ready to impress your family with this easy yet extraordinary dinner that no one will expect!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1.1 lb (500g) ground beef
- 1 chicken egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, grated on coarse grater
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- Vegetable oil and butter for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8.8 fl oz (250ml) water, divided
- 3.5 fl oz (100ml) heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3-4 black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Butter for cooking
For the Spiced Rice:
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cups hot water
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Vegetable oil and butter
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Rice:
- Rinse 1 cup brown rice and cover with water. Let soak for 30 minutes, then drain.
- Heat butter in a large pan, add drained rice and turmeric. Stir to coat rice.
- Add 2 cups hot water and salt. Cover and cook until moisture evaporates, about 20-25 minutes.
Make the Meatballs: 4. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, minced garlic, grated onion, breadcrumbs, chopped cilantro, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly. 5. Form mixture into evenly-sized meatballs using your hands. 6. Heat vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry meatballs until golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: 7. In the same pan, add butter and flour. Stir to create a roux. 8. Add tomato paste and fry briefly until fragrant. 9. Gradually whisk in 5.3 fl oz (150ml) water, then add remaining 3.5 fl oz (100ml) water. 10. Add brown sugar, peppercorns, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well. 11. Add heavy cream and return meatballs to the sauce. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Finish the Rice: 12. Heat oil and butter in another pan. Sauté diced carrot, red onion, and garlic until softened. 13. Add diced red bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes. 14. Add soy sauce and the cooked turmeric rice. Stir to combine. 15. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Time, Serving & Nutrition
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: 4-6 people
- Calories per serving: ~485 calories
- Protein: 28g | Carbs: 42g | Fat: 22g
Why This Recipe is Exceptional
This meatball and rice combination offers a perfect balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables in one satisfying meal. The brown rice provides fiber and essential nutrients while the turmeric adds anti-inflammatory properties and beautiful color. The meatballs deliver high-quality protein and iron from the beef, while the creamy tomato sauce offers lycopene and calcium.
The recipe is budget-friendly, using affordable ingredients that create maximum flavor impact. The combination of herbs and spices not only enhances taste but also provides antioxidants and digestive benefits. The vegetables in the rice add vitamins A and C, while the garlic and onions offer immune-supporting compounds. This complete meal provides sustained energy and helps meet daily nutritional needs while being incredibly delicious and comforting.