Rice Balls with Meat Sauce
Crispy golden rice balls served over a rich, savory meat sauce with grilled sausages and a dollop of creamy yogurt. A comforting, hearty meal that's surprisingly easy to make at home.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 420
- Protein
- 22g

Ingredients
8 items — tap to check off
Missing one? Custrd suggests a swap that works.
Open the appInstructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups cooked rice, 1 beaten egg, and 1/4 cup breadcrumbs. Mix well, then shape into 8 balls. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Add 1/2 lb ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up, until browned, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Stir in 1 cup crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5
While sauce simmers, heat 1/2 inch oil in a separate pan. Roll rice balls in remaining 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, then fry until golden and crispy, about 4 minutes per side.
Step 6
Serve rice balls over the meat sauce, topped with a dollop of yogurt and fresh basil if desired.
Tools you’ll need
- large bowl
- skillet
- frying pan
- spatula
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
Custrd is an iPhone and Android app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations. Try it free for 7 days.

