This skillet turkey meatball and rice recipe is a quick and simple dinner to throw together. Healthy turkey meatballs is combined with brown rice and parmesan cheese for a dinner your whole family will love.
Because you all have been enjoying the recipe I recently shared for healthy turkey meatballs, I thought I’d show you all one way you can incorporate them for a quick dinner. This recipe for turkey meatballs and rice is simple to throw together, and even easier to clean up since it’s all made in one pan. I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine does.
Lemon is added to the skillet with the rice and broth to give this dish a brightness. You can adjust the lemon juice you add to the rice based on the tartness of your lemons, or how much (or little) some people in your family enjoy lemon flavor. Also, feel free to use scallions or onions in this dish; I’ve used both and they’re equally delicious.
If you try and enjoy this recipe, please consider leaving a comment and rating below. Good luck and happy cooking 🙂
What’s in Skillet Meatballs and Rice?
The ingredients list for this healthy turkey meatball recipe is minimal. All you’ll need to make these skillet meatballs are:
- Pre-made turkey meatballs
- Long grain brown rice
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Chicken stock
- Parmesan cheese
Make Your Meatballs First
- Ground turkey – I prefer 93% lean
- Bread crumbs – I like Panko best
- Egg – this is crucial for keeping the meatballs moist, which I’ll get into below
- Fresh scallions and parsley, but go ahead and use dried herbs as well if that’s all you have on hand
- Lemon zest and salt and pepper.
Combine all your ingredients in a bowl, then roll meatballs into 1.5″ spheres. Either bake in the oven at 400 for 15 minutes, or pan fry for about 10 minutes.
How to Make Meatballs with Rice
Once you’ve formed the healthy turkey meatballs, brown them on all sides in a well oiled skillet. Remove them from the pan, then add the rice, stock, onions (or scallions), and lemon juice.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the meatballs back to the pan at this point and cook for another 20 minutes.
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan just before serving, if desired.
Can I Use White Rice Instead of Brown?
Yes, but note that white rice cooks much quicker than brown rice so you’ll need to adjust your cook time accordingly.
Other Tips for Making This Turkey Meatballs and Rice Recipe
If you’re in a time crunch, you could use store-bought frozen meatballs instead of making your own. Just be sure to read the ingredients list to make sure you’re buying a high-quality meatball!
I used my homemade turkey meatballs in this skillet dinner recipe, but your favorite ground beef or lamb meatballs can also be used.
Enjoy these skillet meatballs with rice as is, or serve with a simple side salad or steamed veggie.
Other One-Pan Dinner Recipes:
- Instant Pot Chicken Meatballs and Rice
- Ground Beef Picadillo with Cauliflower Rice
- One-Pot Italian Sausage Pasta
- One-Pan Roasted Chicken, Rice, and Veggies
- Sweet Potato Vegetarian Chili
- …All of my one-pan recipes!
Skillet Turkey Meatballs and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 batch of healthy turkey meatballs
- 1 cup long grain brown rice , rinsed
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ cup diced onions
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 cups chicken stock (or chicken broth)
- Parmesan cheese to taste (as much as ¼ cup or just some shreds)
Instructions
- Assemble your turkey meatballs and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Remove from refrigerator and heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add meatballs to pan and saute for 5-7 minutes, turning on all sides to evenly brown but not cook through.
- Remove meatballs from pan and set on a paper towel lined plate.
- Heat empty skillet on medium heat, adding a swig of oil if needed, and add rice, cooking for a minute or two just until translucent. Add scallions or onions and garlic and cook for about another minute. Stir in broth and lemon juice and bring to a slow boil.
- Reduce heat to low and cover & simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove lid and add meatballs to pan. Cover and cook for another 20 minutes, until rice is tender.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley and/or scallion greens if desired.
Tanya says
The rice to liquid quantity didn’t turn out good.. Usually its 1 cup rice to 2 cups liquid.. I filled this recipe and it was like a soup.. The flavor is good though..
Karri says
This is a fave comfort food! I make it as is, but usually use white rice, since my kids put up a stink about brown. Its so delish!
Lindsay says
A delicious one pot meal that’s actually easy to make. I used plain frozen turkey meatballs and added spinach, oregano, and Dijon mustard. Topped with shredded parmesan and green onions as suggested. There seemed to be way too much liquid at the end, but I was able to take the lid off and reduce it down. Next time will try 2 or 3 cups of stock instead of 4.
Jen says
I’ve probably made this about 20 times I love it so much. It has become my go-to comfort meal!
Andrea Howe says
I’m so glad you and your sweet family love it so much! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Amy says
This dish has the perfect combination of flavors and textures, the freshness of the hint of lemon combined with the flavorful garlic, onion, and chicken stock with the rice – it’s so flavorful! The meatball recipe is replacing any of my others, this will be my go-to from now on, and I can’t wait to try it as a patty. I did make a couple of modifications based on what I had in my pantry, but nothing that changed the recipe too far from the original. It’s easily modified without changing the integrity of the original, which makes it another win.
Deborah Jackson says
This recipe is soooooo good – i made it with white rice , and half the amount of salt – the only changes I made, wow we loved it!! We just kept saying mmmm mmmm as we ate – absolutely delicious – Thankyou!!!
Emily Bruno says
A new fav weeknight meal for sure!
Lauren Grant says
We made this for dinner last night and OH MY GOSH, we devoured it. SO good, thank you!