Porcupine Meatballs
Cozy and filling porcupine meatballs made with ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce for a nostalgic dinner experience.
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef Or half beef, half pork for a richer flavor.
- 1 cup Uncooked white rice Long grain works best.
- 1 medium Onion Grated or finely chopped.
- 1 large Egg To help hold everything together.
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 2 cloves Garlic Optional, but recommended.
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cups Tomato sauce Or crushed tomatoes.
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar Optional, for balance.
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce Optional, for added savoriness.
- 1 cup Water or broth To loosen the sauce while it simmers.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a big bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, grated onion, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic if desired.
- Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs, being careful not to pack them too tightly.
Cooking
- In a wide pan or Dutch oven, stir together tomato sauce, a splash of water or broth, and the optional Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.
- Nestle the meatballs into the sauce. Bring it to a light simmer, then cover and lower the heat.
- Simmer gently for about 35 to 45 minutes, turning the meatballs once or twice if possible.
Notes
If the sauce looks too thick, add a bit more water. Rice absorbs liquid as it cooks, so keep the heat low to prevent the meatballs from becoming tough.