Spanish Rice and Meatballs

Bring bold, Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your dinner table with this mouthwatering Spanish Rice and Meatballs recipe. Juicy, perfectly seasoned meatballs made from a mix of ground beef and pork are browned to perfection before simmering in a vibrant tomato-based sauce infused with paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Fluffy white rice absorbs all the savory juices, creating a hearty, one-pan meal that's bursting with flavor. Finished with a garnish of fresh cilantro, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for a comforting family dinner or an impressive yet easy-to-make centerpiece for entertaining, this recipe combines classic Spanish-inspired ingredients with simple cooking techniques. Ready in under an hour and ideal for weeknights!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium White onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
• 14.5 oz Canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 cup White rice
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 0.5 tsp Oregano
• 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, 1 minced garlic clove, 0.5 tsp paprika, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.

Step 2

Roll the meat mixture into small, even-sized meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Set aside on a plate.

Step 3

Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté the onion and green bell pepper for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Step 5

Add the remaining minced garlic clove, 0.5 tsp paprika, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, chili powder, and oregano to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring to toast the spices.

Step 6

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), chicken broth, tomato paste, and rice. Mix well to combine.

Step 7

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, gently nestling them into the liquid and rice mixture. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy your flavorful Spanish Rice and Meatballs!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2145.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2762.5

Total Fat 179.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.9g
Cholesterol 729.5mg	0%
Sodium 6604.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.9g	0%
Total Sugars 28.9g
Protein 167.2g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 424.6mg	0%
Iron 20.9mg	0%
Potassium 3249.4mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.7%

Protein: 23.9%

Carbs: 18.5%