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.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix the ingredients thoroughly using clean hands or a spoon until well combined.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

In the same skillet, add the tomato sauce and water (or chicken broth). Stir and bring to a low simmer.

Step 7

Carefully return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over them.

Step 8

Cover the skillet with a lid and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and tender.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve the rice meatballs hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired. They pair well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1791.8 grams (1791.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2219

Total Fat 136.20g	175%
Saturated Fat 43.60g	218%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.80g
Cholesterol 574mg	191%
Sodium 4874mg	212%
Total Carbohydrate 144.50g	53%
Dietary Fiber 9.70g	35%
Total Sugars 21.20g
Protein 102.70g	205%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 256mg	20%
Iron 18mg	101%
Potassium 1680mg	36%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.4%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 26.1%