Budget Rice a Roni Meatballs
Stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor with this easy and hearty recipe for Budget Rice-A-Roni Meatballs. Combining the savory goodness of beef-flavored Rice-A-Roni with tender, seasoned meatballs, this one-pan meal is a perfect weeknight dinner for families. In just 45 minutes, you’ll have a satisfying dish featuring juicy ground beef meatballs infused with garlic and onion powder, simmered to perfection in a rich, rice-studded broth. Ideal for busy cooks, this recipe keeps prep simple while delivering big flavor—and it’s as affordable as it is delicious. Pair it with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete, comforting feast that won’t break the bank.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 box Rice-A-Roni (beef flavor)
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 large Egg
- 2.5 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked Rice-A-Roni rice (set aside the seasoning packet), ground beef, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Using clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined but do not overwork the mixture.
Form the beef mixture into approximately 12 evenly-sized meatballs (about 1.5 inches in diameter) and set them aside on a plate.
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Sear the meatballs on all sides until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a clean plate.
In the same skillet, add the reserved Rice-A-Roni seasoning packet, 2.5 cups of water, and the browned meatballs.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked through.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve the Rice-A-Roni and meatballs hot, garnished with a sprinkle of parsley if desired. Enjoy your budget-friendly meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
442 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.7 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.0 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 123 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 568 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13.0 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.7 g | ||
| Protein | 22.3 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 52 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 291 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
