There's nothing quite like the warm comfort of a classic dish. Today, we're diving into a timeless favorite: meatballs with rice and gravy. This meal is a favorite at our house during those colder months. It's the perfect meal when we are still on the go at night but need a warm and filling meal.
Making meatballs with rice and gravy
Today, I'm showing you how to make your own meatballs, but you don't have to. You can use premade meatballs too. Because the brown gravy has a strong flavor to it, it's best to use a neutral meatball so you will want to avoid using Italian or other strong herb flavors. You can use leftover meatballs for recipes like Swedish meatballs in the future!
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Ingredients
For this easy meatballs and brown gravy recipe you will need:
- Ground Meat (Beef, Pork, or Turkey)
- Bread Crumbs
- Eggs
- Brown gravy packet
- Rice--brown or white
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, bread crumbs, and eggs. Mix everything together until well blended, but don't overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Once mixed, shape the meatballs by scooping portions of the mixture (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter) and rolling them into balls with your hands.
Choose your preferred cooking method:
- Pan-Frying: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Air Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the meatballs for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
Making the Rice and Gravy
- While the meatballs cook, prepare the rice:
- White Rice: Rinse 1 cup of white rice under cold water. Combine with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Brown Rice: Combine 1 cup of brown rice with 2.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 40-45 minutes.
- Prepare the gravy according to package directions, then remove from heat once thickened.
Serving
Serve the dish by placing a scoop of rice on each plate, topping with a few meatballs, and drizzling gravy over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Substitutions
You can make some substitutions for dietary preferences and restrictions if needed:
- Gluten free: You will want to use gluten free breadcrumbs and a gluten free gravy packet. You can also make your own gluten free brown gravy as well.
- Vegan/Vegetarian: This is one recipe that would also be easy to make vegan or vegetarian. You can use some vegan meatballs and vegan brown gravy. You can also make your own vegan brown gravy recipe.
Variations
If you would like to add a little bit more flavor to your meatballs, you can add a little flavor to the meatballs by adding some:
- Salt and Pepper: For basic seasoning
- Garlic Powder: Adds a bit of depth
- Onion Powder: Complements the meat’s natural flavor
- Parsley: For a fresh, herbal note
Storing
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or reheat the meatballs and gravy together in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. You can also freeze meatballs without the gravy and rice for up to one month.
FAQ
For a lighter version, you can use leaner ground meat like turkey or chicken, swap the white rice for cauliflower rice, and opt for a broth-based gravy instead of a roux-based one.
If you don't have bread crumbs, you can use crushed crackers, rolled oats, or even cooked quinoa as a binding agent. Each will give the meatballs a slightly different texture, but they will still hold together well.
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Alternatively, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking.
5 Ingredient Meatballs with Gravy and Rice
Equipment
- saucepan
- baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat Beef, Pork, or Turkey
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 brown gravy packet (1 ounce)
- 1 cup white or brown rice
Instructions
- Preparing the Meatball Mixture
- Start by combining the ground meat, bread crumbs, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Be careful not to overwork the mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Once the mixture is ready, it's time to shape the meatballs. Use a spoon or a small ice cream scoop to portion out the mixture. Roll each portion between your hands to form a ball, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This size ensures even cooking.
- Cooking the Meatballs
- You can cook the meatballs in a variety of ways depending on your preference:
- Pan-Frying: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Air Frying: For a healthier option, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the meatballs for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Making the Rice and Gravy
- While the meatballs are cooking, you can prepare the rice. Here's a simple method:
- White Rice: Rinse 1 cup of white rice under cold water. Combine with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Brown Rice: For a healthier option, use brown rice instead. Combine 1 cup of brown rice with 2.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 40-45 minutes.
- Prepare the gravy according to package directions in a saucepan. Remove from heat when gravy has thickened.
- To serve, place a generous scoop of rice on each plate, top with a few meatballs, and spoon the gravy over the top. You can garnish with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness if desired.
Melody
This is a family favorite in our house, thank you!