Turkey Porcupine Meatballs
Transform your dinnertime routine with these tender and flavorful Turkey Porcupine Meatballs—an easy comfort food classic with a healthy twist. Made with lean ground turkey, aromatic garlic, and the unique addition of uncooked rice that "pops" as it cooks, these meatballs earn their charming name from the rice's porcupine-like appearance. Simmered to perfection in a rich, tangy tomato sauce accented with Worcestershire and a hint of sweetness, they’re both hearty and irresistibly juicy. Perfectly portioned for a family meal and ready in just one hour, this versatile dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, or vibrant steamed veggies. Serve them up for a cozy weeknight dinner or impress guests with this delightful twist on a traditional favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground turkey
- 0.5 cup Uncooked white rice
- 1 Egg
- 0.5 cup Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dried parsley
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 15 oz Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Sugar
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, uncooked rice, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until all the ingredients are well combined, being careful not to overmix.
Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and shape each into a meatball.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the meatballs and brown them on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the meatballs simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally spooning sauce over the meatballs to keep them moist.
After 30 minutes, check to ensure the meatballs are cooked through and the rice inside is tender.
Serve the meatballs warm with the sauce spooned over the top. These pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
353 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 13.2 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 127 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 1185 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.0 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g | ||
| Protein | 26.8 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 58 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 454 mg | 10% | |
*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.
