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    Home » By Cooking Method » One Pan » Skillet Turkey Meatballs & Rice

    Skillet Turkey Meatballs & Rice

    Published: Mar 23, 2020 · Modified: Jan 8, 2021 by Andrea Howe · This post may contain affiliate links.

    480 shares
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    One-Skillet Turkey Meatballs & Rice Pin Image

    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.

    turkey meatballs and rice in a cast iron skillet on a white background

    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.

    healthy turkey meatballs and rice in a white bowl with black fork on a white background

    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! 
    brown rice and turkey meatballs in a cast iron skillet

    Skillet Turkey Meatballs and Rice

    This one pan meatball and rice skillet dinner is as comforting as it is easy to throw together. Make a double batch of the meatballs to have extra on hand for leftovers.
    4.92 from 24 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 6
    Author:Andrea

    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)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    Other Tips for Making Turkey Meatballs and Rice

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Howe.We.Live or tag #HoweWeLiveRecipes!
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    About Andrea Howe

    Andrea Howe is the recipe developer and photographer of Howe We Live. She is also a seasoned home cook of over 20 years, for her family of 5. Andrea has spent over 10 years in the food industry, writing for various publications including Babble and Disney. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Taste of Home, Yahoo, Buzzfeed and ABC News.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anna Kate Goshko says

      April 21, 2020 at 5:16 am

      5 stars
      We loved these! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Aline says

      April 19, 2020 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      This was such an easy and tasty dinner!! We loved it and will be making it again! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Jenni LeBaron says

      April 19, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love healthy one-pan recipes and this Skillet Turkey Meatballs and Rice look excellent. I can’t wait to add this to our healthy meal rotation!

      Reply
    4. Kay says

      April 18, 2020 at 3:29 am

      5 stars
      Wow, such a great healthier meatball recipe, I love that it is in one pot too! So easy and delicious, will be making this more often!

      Reply
    5. Analida Braeger says

      April 17, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved this dish and I loved it because it came together so easily. Thanks for all the tips!

      Reply
    6. Veena Azmanov says

      April 16, 2020 at 8:27 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and best one pan option. Presentation perfect and yummy.

      Reply
    7. GUNJAN C Dudani says

      April 16, 2020 at 7:41 am

      5 stars
      What a wonderful recipe. Love all the ingredients in it. Your images are beautiful and attractive.

      Reply
    8. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

      April 14, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      I love easy recipes like this! And wow this looks so scrumptious and perfect for lunch or dinner. Definitely loving the addition of the lemon to the meatballs for sure! Great idea! I cannot wait to try this!

      Reply
    9. Bernice Hill says

      April 14, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Looks delicious! I’m a sucker for any meatball recipe and I love how convenient this one pan meal is. It’s going on my list!

      Reply
    10. Jenny S Graves says

      April 14, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      5 stars
      What a great idea! I love the pairing. The meatballs looks scrumptious! Will be making it this week.

      Reply
    11. Jacqui DeBono says

      April 14, 2020 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      I really like the texture and nuttiness of brown rice, so I wouldn’t swap it for white rice! This is a great recipe for making at the beginning of the week and keeping you going for lunches for a good few days!

      Reply
    12. Tawnie Kroll says

      April 01, 2020 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      I loved the addition of lemon zest in the meatballs – so flavorful! Thank you!

      Reply
    13. Jennifer says

      October 17, 2019 at 8:58 pm

      5 stars
      This was yummy. I didnt see quanity of scallions or onions so I just used 1/2 cup chopped. I have to admit one little hack I used the Trader Joe’s frozen meatballs and put them in at the end and it was delicious and super easy…lol sorry!! I really want to try making my own next time tho! Great staple recipe…

      Reply
    14. Tawnie says

      January 12, 2019 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      Love that you paired these with rice!

      Reply
      • Andrea Howe says

        January 17, 2019 at 8:48 am

        Thanks! The brown rice adds a nice hearty and nutty texture to the meatballs – it’s been a bit at home!

        Reply
    15. Susie Weinrich says

      January 09, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! Can’t wait to make it!

      Reply
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    Welcome to Howe We Live. I’m Andrea, a passionate home cook and mother of 3. I’ve been cooking and writing about healthy eating for almost a decade, and my number one goal here is to help you develop the tools needed to throw together a great meal at home that is both delicious, and healthy-ish. All eaters are welcome here! Read More

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