Baked Cilantro-Mint Meatballs with Rice Noodles

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Herb-packed pork meatballs baked to golden perfection, served atop a light rice noodle salad with crunchy bean sprouts and peanuts. This vietnamese-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground pork, fresh cilantro, fresh mint for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.6 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, combine 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp chopped mint, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp white pepper.
  2. Step 2: Form mixture into 12 equal meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Cook 1/4 cup rice noodles in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  4. Step 4: Toss cooked rice noodles with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1/2 cup bean sprouts, and 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cilantro-Mint Meatballs with Rice Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Cilantro-Mint Meatballs with Rice Noodles?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cilantro-Mint Meatballs with Rice Noodles?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Cilantro-Mint Meatballs with Rice Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Cilantro-Mint Meatballs with Rice Noodles?

Vietnamese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes