Meatballs and Marinara for Ages 3-5

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 INFORMATION
¼ cup vegetable
1½ oz eq meat
SOURCE
Team Nutrition CACFP Easy Recipe Project
TeamNutrition.USDA.gov
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Prep Time 50 mins
Cook Time 28 mins
Total Time 1 hr 18 mins

Ingredients
 

25 Servings

    Weight

    • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
    • 6 fl oz Water
    • - - Eggs, fresh, large
    • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

    Measure

    • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
    • ¾ cup Water
    • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
    • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
    • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
    • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
    • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
    • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

    50 Servings

      Weight

      • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
      • 12 fl oz Water
      • - - Eggs, fresh, large
      • 6 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

      • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
      • cups Water
      • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
      • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
      • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
      • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
      • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
      • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
      • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce

      Quantity
       

      25 Servings

        Weight

        • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
        • 6 fl oz Water
        • - - Eggs, fresh, large
        • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

        Measure

        • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
        • ¾ cup Water
        • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
        • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
        • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
        • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
        • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
        • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
        • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

        50 Servings

          Weight

          • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
          • 12 fl oz Water
          • - - Eggs, fresh, large
          • 6 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

          • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
          • cups Water
          • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
          • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
          • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
          • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
          • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
          • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
          • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce

          Ingredients
           

          25 Servings

            Weight

            • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
            • 6 fl oz Water
            • - - Eggs, fresh, large
            • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

            Measure

            • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
            • ¾ cup Water
            • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
            • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
            • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
            • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
            • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
            • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
            • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

            50 Servings

              Weight

              • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
              • 12 fl oz Water
              • - - Eggs, fresh, large
              • 6 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

              • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
              • cups Water
              • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
              • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
              • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
              • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
              • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
              • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
              • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce

              Quantity
               

              25 Servings

                Weight

                • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                • 6 fl oz Water
                • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                Measure

                • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                • ¾ cup Water
                • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                50 Servings

                  Weight

                  • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                  • 12 fl oz Water
                  • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                  • 6 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

                  • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                  • cups Water
                  • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                  • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                  • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                  • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
                  • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
                  *See Marketing Guide

                  Ingredients
                   

                  25 Servings

                    Weight

                    • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                    • 6 fl oz Water
                    • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                    • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                    Measure

                    • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                    • ¾ cup Water
                    • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                    • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                    • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                    • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                    • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                    • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                    • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                    50 Servings

                      Weight

                      • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                      • 12 fl oz Water
                      • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                      • 6 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

                      • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                      • cups Water
                      • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                      • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                      • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                      • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                      • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                      • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
                      • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce

                      Quantity
                       

                      25 Servings

                        Weight

                        • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                        • 6 fl oz Water
                        • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                        • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                        Measure

                        • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                        • ¾ cup Water
                        • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                        • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                        • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                        • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                        • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                        • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                        • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                        50 Servings

                          Weight

                          • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                          • 12 fl oz Water
                          • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                          • 6 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

                          • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                          • cups Water
                          • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                          • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                          • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                          • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                          • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                          • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
                          • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
                          *See Marketing Guide

                          Ingredients
                           

                          25 Servings

                            Weight

                            • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                            • 6 fl oz Water
                            • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                            • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                            Measure

                            • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                            • ¾ cup Water
                            • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                            • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                            • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                            • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                            • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                            • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                            • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                            50 Servings

                              Weight

                              • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                              • 12 fl oz Water
                              • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                              • 6 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

                              • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                              • cups Water
                              • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                              • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                              • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                              • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                              • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                              • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
                              • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce

                              Quantity
                               

                              25 Servings

                                Weight

                                • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                • 6 fl oz Water
                                • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                                • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                                Measure

                                • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                • ¾ cup Water
                                • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                                • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                                • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                                • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                                • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                                • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                                • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                                50 Servings

                                  Weight

                                  • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                  • 12 fl oz Water
                                  • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                                  • 6 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

                                  • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                  • cups Water
                                  • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                                  • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                                  • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                                  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                                  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                                  • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
                                  • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce
                                  *See Marketing Guide

                                  Ingredients
                                   

                                  25 Servings

                                    Weight

                                    • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                    • 6 fl oz Water
                                    • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                                    • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                                    Measure

                                    • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                    • ¾ cup Water
                                    • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                                    • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                                    • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                                    • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                                    • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                                    • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                                    • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                                    50 Servings

                                      Weight

                                      • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                      • 12 fl oz Water
                                      • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                                      • 6 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

                                      • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                      • cups Water
                                      • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                                      • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                                      • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                                      • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                                      • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                                      • 1 tsp Black pepper, ground
                                      • 3 qt + ½ cup Marinara sauce

                                      Quantity
                                       

                                      25 Servings

                                        Weight

                                        • 2⅝ oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                        • 6 fl oz Water
                                        • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                                        • 3 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 ½ #10 can) Marinara sauce

                                        Measure

                                        • ¾ cup Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                        • ¾ cup Water
                                        • 4 - Eggs, fresh, large
                                        • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                                        • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Onion powder
                                        • 2 tsp Oregano, dried
                                        • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                                        • ½ tsp Black pepper, ground
                                        • 1 qt + 2¼ cups Marinara sauce

                                        50 Servings

                                          Weight

                                          • oz Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                          • 12 fl oz Water
                                          • - - Eggs, fresh, large
                                          • 6 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

                                          • cups Brown rice, instant, uncooked
                                          • cups Water
                                          • 8 - Eggs, fresh, large
                                          • - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
                                          • 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Onion powder
                                          • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano, dried
                                          • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
                                          • 1 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 #30 scoop (about 2 Tbsp), make meatballs (1 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 of 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

                                          Nutrition Facts
                                          Meatballs and Marinara for Ages 3-5
                                          Amount Per Serving 2 meatballs and ¼ cup marinara sauce
                                          Calories 150 Calories from Fat 72
                                          % Daily Value*
                                          Total Fat 8g12%
                                          Saturated Fat 2g13%
                                          Cholesterol 59mg20%
                                          Sodium 439mg19%
                                          Total Carbohydrates 10g3%
                                          Dietary Fiber 3g13%
                                          Total Sugars 0g0%
                                          Protein 12g24%
                                          Calcium 27mg3%
                                          Iron 2mg11%
                                          *
                                          *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: 6 lb 1 oz

                                          Yield: 50 meatballs with 1 qt 2¼ cups sauce

                                          50 Servings:

                                          Weight: 12 lb 2 oz

                                          Yield: 100 meatballs with 3 qt ½ cup sauce