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Home » Ingredient » Beef » Little Meatballs with Parmesan Garlic Rice

Little Meatballs with Parmesan Garlic Rice

Last Updated July 3, 2021. Published November 15, 2018 By Rosemary 25 Comments

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Looking for a delicious main dish for two? Then Little Meatballs with Parmesan Garlic Rice is for you. Mini meatballs in a tasty spiced sauce served over a bed of Rice, so good.

little meatballs in a brown plate with rice

I’m not one to do write ups on Cookbooks, but when my friend (I could probably say very good friend) April from Girl Gone Gourmet released her cookbook, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and try something out.

So when I saw this recipe for Mini Meatballs and Parmesan in the title I knew it was made for me.

If you have followed me for a while you will know I love carbs and anything and everything Pasta. As the Italian says I didn’t come to Italy for him I came for the Pasta. 😉

little meatballs how to make, making the meatballs, sauce and rice

But in this case I thought the Parmesan Rice would do just as well, and it sure does.

I loved the idea of a Cook Book for One or Two, since our eldest daughter is now in Canada and our 2nd is in her last year of high school with every intention of following her sister …

smaller sized recipes will be something I will be making.

And yes I also gifted my daughter with a copy of April’s Cookbook.

little meatballs cookbook

little meatballs recipe in cookbook

To tell the truth it was all a different way of making rice and sauce for me. In Italy we cook our rice like pasta, al dente in boiling salted water, drain the rice when cooked and serve unless of course you are making a Risotto.

up close little meatball

How to Make Parmesan Rice

  • In a medium sized pot add the water and bring to a boil.
  • Add the rice and garlic.
  • Cover and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain any excess water, I actually turned the heat up and let the water evaporate, make sure you don’t burn the rice.
  • Stir in the butter and cream, then add the Parmesan Cheese. So good!

little meatballs in a brown plate with rice

More Delicious Meatball Recipes

  • Mom’s Easy Traditional Italian Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Italian Meatball Soup
  • Classic Italian Meatloaf

So if you are looking for recipes for one or two this is the Cook Book for you. Gourmet Cooking for One or Two by April Anderson. Buon Appetito!

upclose little meatballs in a plate

Little Meatballs with Parmesan Garlic Rice

Rosemary Molloy
Looking for a delicious main dish for two?  Then Little Meatballs with Parmesan Garlic Rice is for you. A tasty spiced meatball & rice dish.
4.94 from 15 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American/Italian
Servings 2 servings
Calories 352 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

MEATBALLS

  • 1 tablespoons egg (lightly beat egg & use 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 ounces lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

SAUCE

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
  • 2 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves

RICE

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter (I used salted)
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh Parsley

Instructions
 

MEATBALLS

  • In a medium bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt and black pepper, then add the ground beef.  Mix together with your hands until just combined.  Form the meatballs with a tablespoon (15 grams) of the beef mixture for each ball.
  • Heat the oil in a 3 1/2 quart (3 litre) saucepan over medium heat.  Add the meatballs and brown on one side, approximately 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs and brown on the other side.  Remove the meatballs to a clean dish.

SAUCE

  • To the same pan add the chopped onion and cook just until they start to soften, 2-3 minutes.  Then add the garlic and carrot and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add the tomato paste and flour, stir to coat the vegetables.  Add the Worcestershire Sauce and stir, scraping up any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.  Add the beef stock, salt, bay leaf and fresh thyme and stir to combine.  Bring the stock to a simmer and add the meatballs. Adjust the heat to low, cover the pan with the lid slightly askew and simmer the meatballs.

RICE

  • In a small pot add the water and bring to a boil, add the rice and garlic and cover the pan.  Reduce the heat to low, cook until the rice is tender, approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Drain off any excess water. Stir in the cream and butter until melted, add the Parmesan and gently stir to combine.  Sprinkle with the chopped Parsley.  Turn off the heat and cover to keep warm.
  • Uncover the meatballs and adjust the heat to medium to bring the sauce to a strong simmer.  Cook for another 5 minutes or until the sauce has slightly thickened.  Remove the bay leaf and serve the meatballs over the rice.  Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 20gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1704mgPotassium: 704mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 5795IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 3.4mg
Keyword mini meatball dinner recipe, mini meatballs in a sauce
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    Filed Under: Beef, Main Dish, Most Posts

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    1. Kayadell says

      February 13, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      I want to make this tonight but don’t have paste. I do have a can of tomato sauce. How could I substitute with that?

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        February 15, 2022 at 3:21 pm

        Hi Kayadell, I would leave out the stock and if the sauce is really thick then add a bit of water to thin it out. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply
    2. Toni says

      December 22, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      4 stars
      Used this recipe to make meatballs for the first time and we all loved it, specially the rice 👌🏻 Also as someone who is not very advanced with her cooking skills, this recipe was easy to follow .

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 23, 2021 at 7:37 pm

        Hi tToni, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Happy Holidays.

        Reply
    3. Elena says

      October 13, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      Hi Rosemary! Haven’t tried the recipe yet but will do so tonight for dinner — and of course will promptly let you know how tasty it turned out. I noticed heavy cream is listed as an ingredient for the rice…I was wondering if it’s absolutely a necessary ingredient — whether it’s a make-it or break-it element– and if you suggest any dairy-free substitutes for it that won’t alter the taste of the rice to a drastic degree 😀

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        October 13, 2021 at 6:16 pm

        Hi Elena, thanks so much, I would increase the butter to a tablespoon (instead of 1/2) or you could use a dairy free cream, if not I don’t think it will make much of a difference. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply
    4. j says

      June 6, 2021 at 11:40 pm

      Haven’t tried yet. Your recipe shows carrots in sauce, but the original picture at start of site shows carrots and another ingredient in the rice. Was looking for that recipe with veggies in rice with meatballs on top.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        June 7, 2021 at 6:41 pm

        Hi J, I’m sorry but this is the only recipe I have with rice, veggies & meatballs, are you thinking of this one? Let me know.
        https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/italian-sausage-and-vegetable-rice-casserole/

        Reply
    5. Helen Hall says

      January 20, 2021 at 1:02 am

      5 stars
      This was delicious and if you have the meatballs already made and waiting in the freezer, it is a super quick dinner to whip up.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        January 21, 2021 at 6:04 pm

        Hi Helen, thanks glad you enjoyed it. Take care.

        Reply
    6. Tica says

      May 13, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      I only used the recipe for the meatball sauce – very moreish and great depth of flavour.

      Reply
    7. Anji says

      May 10, 2020 at 3:01 am

      We made this with Whole Foods frozen meatballs and it turned out delicious!! Not many substitutions except for using brown rice and omitting the cream. The sauce required some extra broth to warm up the meatballs but everything turned out delicious 5/5 in my book for ease and deliciousness.

      Reply
    8. Brenda Cook says

      November 10, 2019 at 5:32 am

      5 stars
      Very tasty and simple to make. I made the meat like small flat burgers instead of balls so they were easier to brown. I used the whole egg to keep it simple and it turned out fine.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        November 10, 2019 at 10:07 am

        Hi Brenda, thank so much, great idea with the burgers. Have a wonderful Sunday.

        Reply
    9. Monica Van Rickley says

      November 4, 2019 at 11:20 pm

      5 stars
      Well I just made this garlic Parmesan rice guys… It is amazing! It literally taste like risotto it’s so delicious. I hope I can wait until my husband gets home to eat dinner. LOL I have the meatballs simmering on the stove and I can’t wait to try them. I did use turkey because that’s what I had and I was excited about this recipe so I went for it.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        November 5, 2019 at 6:40 pm

        Hi Monica, thanks glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Stephanie Salyer says

      October 21, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      Has anyone doubled the recipe? Looks amazing.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        October 21, 2019 at 10:19 pm

        Thanks Stephanie, I don’t know if anyone has but I am sure you can without any problem.

        Reply
        • Shawn Steele says

          May 21, 2020 at 4:59 pm

          Yes…The sauce was a little too saucy. I would only do 1 1/2 cups of broth next time.

    11. Carol says

      December 6, 2018 at 5:05 am

      How do you measure or what is 1 tablespoon of egg? Thanks

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 6, 2018 at 8:33 am

        Hi Carol, lightly beat the egg first and then remove 1 tablespoon. Hope that helps.

        Reply
    12. Beth says

      November 16, 2018 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      I had to make these they looked so good, so I made them last nigh and my husband and I loved them. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        November 16, 2018 at 9:49 am

        Thanks Beth, so glad you liked them. Have a great weekend.

        Reply
    13. Amy says

      November 16, 2018 at 1:50 am

      Your meatballs sound delicious. Found you at Thursday Favorite Things.

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        November 16, 2018 at 7:07 am

        Hi Amy, thanks so much, that’s a great link up.

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Rosemary.

    Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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