Rice Meatballs
Transform your weeknight dinners with these comforting and flavorful Rice Meatballs, a perfect twist on the classic meatball recipe! Made with a hearty mixture of ground beef or turkey, cooked white rice, and aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, and parsley, these tender bites boast a unique texture and satisfying taste. Simmered to perfection in a rich tomato sauce, they absorb every bit of the savory, tangy flavor, making them irresistibly juicy. Ready in just 50 minutes, this easy recipe is ideal for feeding a family of four, and it pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. Whether you're looking to elevate your meal prep or impress at dinnertime, these Rice Meatballs are a simple, delicious, and crowd-pleasing choice.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams ground beef or ground turkey
- 1.5 cups cooked white rice
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 0.5 cups breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons, chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly using clean hands or a spoon until well combined.
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball (approximately 1.5 inches in diameter). You should have around 16-18 meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
Add the meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning gently, until they are browned on all sides. Remove the browned meatballs and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the tomato sauce and water (or chicken broth). Stir and bring to a low simmer.
Carefully return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over them.
Cover the skillet with a lid and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and tender.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the rice meatballs hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired. They pair well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
539 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.2 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.6 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 135 mg | 45% | |
| Sodium | 1441 mg | 63% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.0 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 25.9 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 91 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 820 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
