Meatballs and Marinara USDA Recipe for Child Care Centers
Age Group: Ages 6-18
Serving Size: 25-50
An old-fashioned recipe that is still a big hit. Ground beef, rice, and marinara sauce unite to make a delicious lunch or supper.CACFP CREDITING INFORMATION¼ cup vegetable2 oz eq meatSOURCETeam Nutrition CACFP Easy Recipe ProjectTeamNutrition.USDA.gov
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- 3½ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 8 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 4 lb 4 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 3 lb 8 oz (about 1/2 #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 1 cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 1 cup Water
 - 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - 2 Tbsp Onion powder
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 1 qt +2¼ cups Marinara sauce
 
50 Servings
Weight
- 7 oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 16 fl oz Water
 - - - Eggs, fresh, large
 - 8 lb 8 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - - - Onion powder
 - - - Oregano, dried
 - - - Worcestershire sauce
 - - - Black pepper, ground
 - 7 lb (about 1⅛ #10 can) Marinara sauce
 
Measure
- 2 cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
 - 2 cups Water
 - 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
 - - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
 - ¼ cup Onion powder
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Oregano, dried
 - 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 2 tsp Black pepper, ground
 - 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
 
*See Marketing Guide
Instructions
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
 - Preheat oven to 400 °F.
 - In a medium pot, combine water and rice. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Once it begins to boil, reduce heat to low. Cover. Cook for 10 minutes or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat. Fluff with a fork. Allow rice to cool for 5 minutes.
 - In a medium bowl, beat eggs with a whisk or fork.
 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, cooked rice, onion powder, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix.
 - Using a #24 scoop (about 2½ Tbsp), make meatballs (1½ oz each).For 25 servings, make 50 meatballs.For 50 servings, make 100 meatballs.
 - Place meatballs on a sheet pan (18" x 26" x 1") lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes. Heat to an internal temperature 165 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds. Remove from the oven. Wash hands after touching uncooked ground beef and eggs.For 25 servings, use 2 pans.For 50 servings, use 4 pans.
 - In a medium pot, heat marinara sauce on medium-high heat, about 6–8 minutes. Stir often. Heat to 140 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds. Remove from the stove. Stir.
 - Serve 2 meatballs with ¼ cup sauce. Serve immediately, or keep warm at 140 °F or higher.
 
Nutrition INFORMATION
Meatballs and Marinara USDA Recipe for Child Care Centers
Amount Per Serving
2 meatballs and ¼ cup marinara sauce
Calories
188
Total Fat
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
72
mg
24
%
Sodium
455
mg
20
%
Total Carbohydrate
11
g
4
%
Dietary Fiber
3
g
13
%
Total Sugars
0
g
0
%
Protein
16
g
32
%
Calcium
32
mg
3
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
N/A=data not available
*Marketing Guide
Notes
- Contains eggs. Worcestershire sauce can be a hidden source of common 
allergens, which include milk, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy,
wheat, and sesame. - Serve a variety of foods during the week to balance out an occasional lunch 
or supper item that may be higher in sodium or saturated fat. 
Yield / Volume
25 Servings: 
Weight: 7 lb 8 oz Yield: 50 meatballs with 1 qt 2¼ cups sauce 
50 Servings:
Weight: 15 lb 3 oz Yield: 100 meatballs with 3 qt ½ cup sauce
