Description
Porcupine Meatballs are hearty, flavorful meatballs combined with rice and simmered in a savory tomato sauce. This comforting dish offers a perfect blend of tender meat, aromatic seasonings, and rich sauce, making it an ideal family meal served with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup long grain uncooked white rice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken or beef stock
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Sauce
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, uncooked rice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and water. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Form golf ball-sized meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each) and place them on a plate, yielding approximately 20 meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add the meatballs in a single layer about 1 inch apart. Cook until browned all over, approximately 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and discard the excess grease.
- Prepare the sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the tomato sauce, chicken or beef stock, Italian seasoning, butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well to combine. Gently place the meatballs into the sauce, turning them to coat evenly. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice inside the meatballs is tender.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the porcupine meatballs family-style with cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. Garnish with freshly minced parsley or basil for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure rice is fully cooked in the meatball mixture to prevent undercooked grains.
- You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate before cooking to enhance flavors.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to taste.
- This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball with sauce
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
