Italian Sausage Rice Balls With Marinara Sauce #Ragu

Submitted by Christine V.

"Ragú® Recipe Contest Entry. Appetizer"

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 20 rice balls
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1 cup cooked italian sausage, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups sweet potatoes, diced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup feta cheese, finely crumbled
• 1 cup Ragú® Pasta Sauce
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

directions

1. Sauté onion over medium heat with olive oil in a large sauce pan for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add sweet potatoes, tomato paste, garlic, basil and oregano. Cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes on low heat until sweet potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally.
3. Place mixture in a large mixing bowl to let cool. When cool, add sausage, ¾ cup of the breadcrumbs, cheese, rice, and egg. Mix very well with hands.
4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and lightly oil a baking sheet.
5. With hands, form into golf ball size pieces and coat them in the remaining breadcrumbs. Place rice balls on baking sheet.
6. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.
7. Warm marinara sauce and drizzle over rice balls.
8. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[elizabeth c.]

Is that one cup of cooked brown rice or one cup of brown rice , cooked, which would be about 2 cups.....not feeling the sweet potato either.....but I think I'll give it a go as a have a lone sweet potato waiting to be used.