A hearty and comforting casserole made with juicy baked meatballs, tender rice, savory sauce, and melted cheese — perfect for an easy family dinner.
Author:Emma Harper
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:55 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 10 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
UnitsScale
1lb ground beef
1/2cup breadcrumbs
1/4cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2cups beef broth
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Form mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides (they do not need to be fully cooked through).
Spread uncooked rice evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Arrange browned meatballs on top of the rice.
In a mixing bowl, combine beef broth and tomato sauce; pour evenly over the meatballs and rice.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until rice is tender and meatballs are cooked through.
Remove foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
For extra flavor, add sautéed onions and bell peppers to the rice layer.