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.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Using clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined but do not overwork the mixture.

Step 3

Form the beef mixture into approximately 12 evenly-sized meatballs (about 1.5 inches in diameter) and set them aside on a plate.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

In the same skillet, add the reserved Rice-A-Roni seasoning packet, 2.5 cups of water, and the browned meatballs.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Serve the Rice-A-Roni and meatballs hot, garnished with a sprinkle of parsley if desired. Enjoy your budget-friendly meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1353.2 grams (1353.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1667

Total Fat 122.30g	157%
Saturated Fat 40.40g	202%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.80g
Cholesterol 541mg	180%
Sodium 2572mg	112%
Total Carbohydrate 55.40g	20%
Dietary Fiber 2.90g	10%
Total Sugars 2.20g
Protein 90.70g	181%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 141mg	11%
Iron 11mg	62%
Potassium 1367mg	29%

*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: 65.3%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 13.2%