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Easy Ranch Taco Bowl with Turkey Meatballs

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A quick and easy game day meal featuring juicy turkey meatballs seasoned with taco spices, served over rice with black beans, corn, and a creamy ranch dressing with a zesty twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 1 cup uncooked)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen, thawed)
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp taco seasoning
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Optional: sliced jalapeños for heat

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 16 meatballs total.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer without crowding. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, turning halfway.
  4. While meatballs cook, prepare 2 cups cooked rice according to package directions and fluff with a fork.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
  6. Assemble the taco bowls by layering cooked rice, black beans, corn, and turkey meatballs in serving bowls. Drizzle ranch sauce over the top.
  7. Garnish with cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, green onions, diced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves, and jalapeños if desired.
  8. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Cook meatballs in batches to avoid steaming. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let meatballs rest a few minutes after cooking to retain juiciness. Customize ranch dressing with lime juice and taco seasoning for extra flavor. For low-carb, swap rice with cauliflower rice. For dairy-free, use dairy-free ranch or avocado crema. Meatballs can be baked or air-fried as alternatives to stovetop cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatballs, taco bowl, ranch dressing, game day meal, easy dinner, quick recipe, healthy, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-ranch-taco-bowl-with-turkey-meatballs-recipe-for-game-day-meals/