Description
Porcupine Meatballs are a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender ground beef meatballs studded with rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This classic American recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner, offering a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Seasoning Mixture
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Meatball Mixture
- 1/2 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
Sauce
- 1 15oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 15oz. can crushed tomatoes, with juices
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup water
Garnish
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed to create a balanced seasoning base for the meatballs.
- Rinse Rice: Thoroughly rinse the uncooked rice in cool water, then drain it well to remove excess starch and achieve better texture in the meatballs.
- Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the lean ground beef, rinsed rice, finely diced onion, minced garlic, egg, and the prepared seasoning mixture. Using your hands, gently mix everything until evenly combined, being careful not to overmix to prevent tough meatballs.
- Shape Meatballs: Divide the mixture into 24 equal portions, about two tablespoons each. Shape each portion into a meatball and place them into a large pot or Dutch oven. It’s fine if the meatballs touch or stack slightly.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes with juices, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, and water. Stir well until all ingredients are blended uniformly.
- Cook Meatballs: Pour the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the meatballs in the pot. Cover with a lid and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the meatballs to simmer gently for 35-40 minutes, letting flavors meld and rice cook through.
- Serve and Garnish: Carefully spoon the porcupine meatballs and sauce onto plates or a serving dish. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve with your choice of rice or mashed potatoes and enjoy!
Notes
- For best texture, rinse the rice thoroughly before mixing into the meatballs to prevent clumping.
- Be gentle when mixing the meatball ingredients to keep the meatballs tender and avoid toughness.
- Simmer the meatballs gently to allow the rice to cook fully and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- These meatballs can be doubled easily and freeze well for meal prep.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
