Meatball and Rice Casserole

Bored with plain rice? Turning it into a meatball and rice casserole is an incredible idea. Here is the clue, meaty juicy, creamy tasty, and very filling! let’s create this simple recipe!

Life Current Update

HI! It’s been a long time not being here on this blog. First thing first, I miss you guys, then, I am sad because this blog had been abandoned for a quite long time, kinda feeling scared while using the word “abandoned” because what’s on my mind is horror abandoned hospital haha. Nevertheless, No worries I’m going back again, Yes I feel so ecstatic to share my recipe again with you!

how’s life? I recently have a full-time job which makes me quite tiring to make some updates. But then I realized, I feel empty because no matter busy with my regular full-time work pressures, passion is what makes me feel alive and happy (even tho still tired haha).  

My last update still told about restrictions in my country about covid-19. Fortunately oh my goodness, the restriction is getting untightened and we are already in the new-normal phase and back to the good old days. There will be more live music concerts again, hope this world recovers and gets better soon. yes of course I hope you guys are healthy in the state of mental and physical.

Talking about life’s current updates is making my stomach call S.O.S for hungry conditions. I’m going to share your ultimate filling and flexible main dish meatball and rice casserole! Let’s go

Casserole

Let me tell you a story. Rice casserole is a former main dish of the 1950s. mostly, this casserole originated from some European countries such as Italy, Greece, French, and some Russian countries  such as Uzbekistan (please do correct me if I am wrong, I appreciated it)  the word casserole itself comes from likely dates back to the Greek “kuathion,” meaning “little cup.” The word eventually morphed into the Medieval Latin “cattia” and settled on “cassole” or “casserole,” the French diminutive of “casse”—essentially meaning “pan.”

The very first-time rice casserole is A lightened-up version of the 1950s classic food served in the war to please a crowd. they made in a big portion as always. Let’s bring these good back old days comforting grandma food to the table.

Why Rice?

Rice is Indonesia’s first staple food. When England has English breakfast or a bunch of bread, here in Indonesia no matter how many foods we ate before if we have not consumed rice yet we still say not eat yet.

So today, I am going to make meatballs and rice casserole. This has always been my favorite main dish because it is very filling and the meatball had a big role to make the texture juicy and creamy taste in this rice casserole.

This casserole is a thick and creamy dish The delicious flavors consist of beef meatballs, Italian flavors, a tasty seasoning that never failed, and melty mozzarella cheese on top. It’s a dish your whole family will ask for again, giving a great appetite.

Alternative; If you’re not a big fan of rice, no worries, when there is a will, there is a way. You can substitute the rice with pasta, I had the recipe, you can click here; Pasta Casserole

The dish is an incredibly rich texture with fascinating deliciousness. Baby until grandma gonna love this meatball and rice casserole.  Let’s get the jump to the ingredients and how to make them!

The Ingredients for making meatball and Rice casserole

In the big line, there are two main elements for making this incredible main dish which are meatballs and rice. while the rest are the complementary factor but of course complete the tastiness.

For the ingredients are;

• Ground beef. It is the main part of making a meatball. If you do not consume beef, you can use chicken as well. Make sure the ground beef is smooth but not too wet.
• Rice; here I use cooked organic rice. You can use uncooked rice or cooked one. I used japonica rice which has a characteristic short and medium size.
• Italian Seasoning is The blend of herbs present in Italian seasoning mostly consists of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram, with other herbs and spices. it is essential!
• Chicken stock powder. use to add a savory taste to the meatball.
• Sour cream,  sour cream adds a thick texture to rice casserole. a sour cream made by mixing cream with a lactic acid culture; the bacteria thickens and sours it.
• Breadcrumbs I use for adding some crunchy texture. If you like creamy texture only, you can skip it.  But my suggestion do not to skip the breadcrumb always disappear fast
• Tomato paste, – ingredients for the sauce.
• Parsley – Chop it for garnish.
• Seasoning – As usual, the main seasoning is a need in every dish. Prepare to use salt, garlic powder, chicken stock powder, and black pepper.
• I don’t use any oil. when the meatball is cooked, it will leave some juice and oil, we use them instead for adds some aroma and taste.

The steps to make Meatball and Rice Casserole

How to make the meatball

First thing first, I am going to make a meatball. There are a lot of versions to make meatballs. But for this time I made the original meatball without breadcrumbs because I need the juice from the meatball. What will you need is

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). I baked the meatball about 15 minutes later on.

Then, In a bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients until mixed well. The ingredients are ground beef, chicken stock powder, and garlic powder.

combine until make a stunning mixture underneath just take it to next level.  For the seasoning, I add a pinch of salt and Italian seasoning. Prepare your casserole, then shape about 2 tbsp beef mixture into a round shape. arrange the meatball into the casserole so the meatball will cook evenly.

Bake for 15 minutes, then transfer the cooked meatballs to a bowl.

 

When the meatballs are baked, there will be juice from the beef.

Next, mix the juice with the rice, and the juice from the meatball adds the rice taste more savory and rich.

How to combine meatball and rice casserole

After the meatball is cooked, now prepare casserole, I use cooked rice, but you can use the uncooked rice and cook in the oven. Or you can substitute the rice with pasta. You do you, feel free!

Add rice, sour cream, tomato paste, and bread crumbs, on other recipes you can add breadcrumbs to meatballs. But I add the breadcrumbs with the rice to add crispy texture.  Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix them all with a spoon until all the ingredients ready to bake

Add ¼ of the mozzarella cheese, then mix until just combined. Flatten the rice until spread evenly with the seasonings combined together. then arrange the meatballs on top of the rice. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the meatballs evenly, then bake again for 40-45 minutes.

Last but not the least, Before serving, sprinkle the meatball rice casserole with chopped parsley. If you love spicy foods, you can add chili oil also, since I was eating this with my family so I add the chili powder to my plate.

Enjoy your bomb feeling with this meatball and rice casserole with your family. have a lovely day!

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