Description
Juicy Cajun-spiced meatballs glazed in hot honey, paired with tender broccolini and flavorful Cajun rice. A bold and comforting Southern-style dish perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup hot honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (for rice)
- 1 bunch broccolini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for broccolini)
- Salt and pepper to taste (for broccolini)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and shape into meatballs.
- Place meatballs on the prepared sheet and bake for 20-22 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet, add bell peppers and onion, and sauté until soft. Stir in tomato paste and Cajun seasoning.
- Add rice and chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is cooked.
- In a small saucepan, combine hot honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss baked meatballs in the hot honey glaze until evenly coated.
- Blanch broccolini in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Serve glazed meatballs over Cajun rice with broccolini on the side.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by reducing Cajun seasoning or using mild hot honey.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: hot honey meatballs, Cajun meatballs, broccolini rice dinner, spicy glazed meatballs, southern comfort food