Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole

To make this quicker you can make the rice ahead of time as well as the sauce. I used my homemade sauce/gravy  recipe, but you can use your favorite sauce/gravy... I recommend either using the 93% lean turkey, I found the 99% lean turkey was too dry and the points remain the same.



Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole

• 2 cups uncooked long grain rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 (2.5 oz) sweet Italian sausage link, casing removed
• 10 oz (.65 lbs) 93% lean ground turkey (1/2 package)
• 1/4 cup onion, minced 
• salt and fresh pepper
• 5 oz frozen peas
• 16 oz homemade tomato sauce/gravy
• 1/3 cup egg beaters or egg whites
• 1/2 cup pecorino romano
• cooking spray
• 4 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs, divided
• 1 1/4 cup shredded part skim mozzarella

Cook rice in water according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, sauté sausage meat; cook until brown breaking up into pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add turkey and onions and cook until browned, breaking up as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add peas and 8 oz tomato sauce and simmer on low, covered, about 20 minutes.



Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl combine rice, pecorino romano, eggs, and 3-4 oz tomato sauce and mix well. Rice should be a bit sticky.

Spray a 9 x 12 casserole dish with cooking spray, making sure to spray sides too. Add2 tbsp breadcrumbs to the dish and roll around to coat the bottom and sides.



Take half of the rice mixture (a little more if needed) and cover the bottom of the dish and up the sides; press to form the bottom layer.



Add the meat and peas.  



Sprinkle mozzarella on top. Top with remaining rice and press until even. Top with remaining 4 oz of sauce, remaining 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, and remaining mozzarella.



Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes. Cutinto 8 pieces.