Piri Piri Beef Meatballs with Tomato Rice
These juicy beef meatballs bring proper comfort-food satisfaction with a warm Piri Piri lift. A little seasoning goes into the meatballs, the rich tomato sauce and the rice, carrying the flavour through the entire dish without making every mouthful identical.
🥣 Ingredients
- 500g beef mince
- 3 tbsp Piri Piri Seasoning, divided
- 1 small onion, grated
- 40g fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red pepper, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 250g long-grain rice
- 450ml beef or vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- Fresh parsley, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
- Mix the beef mince with 1 tbsp Piri Piri Seasoning, grated onion, breadcrumbs and egg. Shape into 16–18 slightly irregular meatballs.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a deep frying pan and brown the meatballs in batches for 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil and diced pepper to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the garlic, tomato purée, chopped tomatoes and 1 tbsp seasoning.
- Return the meatballs, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes until completely cooked through.
- Meanwhile, rinse the rice. Cook with the stock and remaining seasoning according to packet instructions. Fluff, spoon into bowls and top with the meatballs and sauce.
⏱️ Timings
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Cook: 30 minutes
- Serves: 4
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with wilted greens, roasted broccoli or a simple cucumber salad for cooling contrast.
💚 Why This Recipe Works
Breadcrumbs and grated onion keep the meatballs tender, while browning builds deep savoury flavour. Tomato mellows the cayenne and brings out the sweet paprika.
🌶️ Try It With
For a smokier sauce, add Smoked Paprika; for extra heat, use a cautious pinch of Cayenne Pepper.
🍽️ More Recipes Using Piri Piri Seasoning
- Piri Piri Butter Bean & Sweet Potato Stew
- Piri Piri Halloumi & Vegetable Traybake
- Piri Piri Pork Skewers with Pepper Rice
- Piri Piri Prawn Tacos with Mango Slaw
- Piri Piri Chicken with Crispy Lemon Potatoes
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Ready to bring the heat? Shop Piri Piri Seasoning →
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