Meatballs and Rice - this creamy meatballs and rice recipe is total comfort food! Made with simple, real ingredients + makes great leftovers!
Ingredients
Cream of Mushroom Soup:
5tablespoonsof butterdivided (sub with plant-based butter or ghee)
1/2cupyellow onionminced
8-12ozmushroomssliced
1tablespoonfresh thyme
1teaspoonkosher salt
1/4teaspoonground black pepper
1/4cup+ 1 tablespoon all purpose floursub 1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot powder for gluten-free
3cupchicken brothvegetable would work too
1/2cupfull-fat coconut milk
1/4cupunsweetened almond milk
Meatballs and Rice
1-1.5lbsground beef
kosher salt and ground black pepper
1cuplong grain brown rice
Instructions
Cream of Mushroom Soup:
Bring large sauce pan (or Dutch Oven) to medium-high heat. Melt 3 tablespoons vegan butter (or ghee). Add add onion, stirring constantly, until they reduce.
Add mushrooms and cook on medium/high, stirring constantly until they cook down (approx. 5-7 mins) and start to brown. (Add additional butter, as needed to ensure pan doesn't dry out - I added a couple extra tablespoons - kind of depends how big your mushrooms are and how long they need to cook down, They will absorb the butter pretty quickly))
Add a pinch of salt and the thyme. Stir. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let melt. Add flour and stir to fully combine.
Add broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring after each pour.
Let simmer about 10 minutes, stirring softly, and you will see it start to thicken.
After 10 minutes, add coconut milk and almond milk. Stir to combine.
Taste and add additional salt, pepper or thyme - as desired.
Remove from heat.
Meatballs and Rice:
Take 2 tablespoons of ground beef at a time and roll into meatballs. Set aside.
Bring a large, deep cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add meatballs and sear on all sides. Season with salt and pepper as you turn them.
Reduce heat to medium, continuing to let meatballs fully cook. Drain excess grease, but I recommend leaving 2-3 tablespoons (it adds flavor).
Add Cream of Mushroom Soup to the pan along with the rice; Stir to combine.
Cover and let simmer 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Ground Beef: you can do anywhere from 1 pound to almost 2 pounds here depending upon how much you want to make - I generally use 1.5 pounds.