Beef, Lentil Meatballs w Rice + Greens

Beef, Lentil Balls with Rice + Greens

This is a weekly go-to for our households and everyone including the 5 year old loves it!
This recipe serves a family of 5 including 3 kids under 12. If you have hungry teenagers in the house, maybe serve a little extra rice, greens and/or meatballs in their bowl.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Servings 5 serves
Calories 525 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams beef mince lean, free range
  • 2 cup rice rinsed and pre-cooked
  • 1 carrot grated
  • 150 grams brown lentils or approx. 1/2 tin of drained and rinsed lentils
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp pepper optional
  • 700 ml tomato passata or use the 'veggie packed passata' recipe in SIDES
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese or cheese of choice
  • 500 grams green beans trimmed
  • 1 head broccoli cut in to florets
  • sea salt & pepper to season

Instructions
 

  • Pre heat oven to 180 degrees C.
  • If your rice is not yet pre-cooked, cook your brown rice according to packet instructions. This recipe allows for 2 cups of cooked rice, so freeze any leftovers.
  • Grate the carrot and set aside. Drain and rinse half the tin of lentils and place them in a bowl. Roughly mash them with a fork. Add beef mince, grated carrot, salt and pepper to the same bowl and combine ingredients well using your hands.
  • Roll the mixture in to small to medium sized meatballs (should make approx. 15 balls) and place the balls in oven proof dish (or two dishes if required).
  • Cover the balls well with your jar of passata. Sprinkle over grated cheese.
  • Pop in to your oven and bake for 30mins or so – until balls are cooked through. Pop grill on last minute if you want to brown the cheese a little more – but keep your eye on the cheese as it can burn very quickly!
  • While the balls are in the oven, steam cook your beans and broccoli florets over a boiling pot for a few minutes or until just tender.
  • Once balls are cooked through, assemble your plates or bowls with a serve of rice (large serving spoon or approx. 1/3- 1/2 cup), meat balls (approx. 3-4 pp) and your greens.
  • Season with more salt & pepper if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 525kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 38gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gFiber: 13gSugar: 14gVitamin C: 138mgCalcium: 312mgIron: 8mg
Keyword beef and lentil balls, beef balls, gluten free meatballs
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!