Soft, home-style tefteli simmer in a light tomato sour cream sauce that stays smooth, gentle, and deeply comforting. Rice keeps the meatballs tender, and the sauce settles into something rich enough to spoon over potatoes, rice, or bread.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground meat
- 100 g uncooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- black pepper, to taste
- 5 g butter
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 360 ml water
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Cook the rice in salted water until just tender, then cool slightly.
- 2
Mix the ground meat, rice, onion, egg, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
- 3
- 4
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs lightly on all sides.
- 5
Add enough hot water to come halfway up the meatballs, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- 6
Whisk the sour cream, flour, tomato paste, and remaining water until smooth.
- 7
Pour the sauce into the skillet and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are fully cooked.
Cook's Note
Cook the rice just until tender and let it cool before mixing so the meatballs stay soft instead of dense. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer once the sour cream goes in so it thickens smoothly without splitting.
Best Served With
mashed potatoes, rice, or fresh bread
Why This Recipe Works
Rice holds moisture in the meatballs, so they stay tender as they simmer. Tomato paste and sour cream build a sauce that feels rich and balanced without turning heavy.
Make It Yours
- Add garlic or paprika for a warmer finish.
- Use a mix of beef and pork for a softer, richer meatball.
- Swap some of the water for broth for deeper flavor.
- Add dill at the end for a fresher finish.
Leftover Strategy
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water if the sauce tightens, then serve extra meatballs over rice or buttered noodles.
Want to impress guests with this dish? Ask Jeff →
Pairing
Black tea ↗ or a light lager cuts through the tomato sour cream sauce;
dill pickle ↗ spears make an easy sharp pantry side.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases
Keep CookingKitchen Connections