Porcupine Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

Porcupine meatballs are a comforting classic that combines tender beef meatballs with rice cooked right inside. Simmered in a savory tomato sauce, this hearty dish is perfect for a family dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup uncooked minute rice
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (10-ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• ¾ cup water
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350º F.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked minute rice, chopped onion, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Shape the mixture into about 16 evenly sized meatballs.
3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides for 4 to 5 minutes, turning frequently to ensure even color.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, stir together the condensed tomato soup, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the sauce over the browned meatballs, or place the meatballs in a casserole dish and pour the sauce on top. Cover the dish with a lid or foil.
5. Step 5: Bake the covered meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then remove the lid, spoon some sauce over the meatballs, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and serve hot over rice or mashed potatoes, spooning extra sauce over the top for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use lean ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to beef.
• For extra flavor, add chopped fresh parsley or grated Parmesan to the meatball mixture.
• Swap the condensed tomato soup with homemade tomato sauce for a fresher taste.
• Serve with steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad to balance the meal.

Storage

Store cooked porcupine meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet over low heat until warmed through. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular rice instead of minute rice?

Minute rice is quick-cooking and softens during baking, so regular rice would need to be pre-cooked or parboiled before mixing into the meatballs to ensure it cooks fully.

How do I know when the meatballs are done?

The meatballs are cooked through when they reach an internal temperature of 160º F and the tomato sauce is bubbling. The rice inside should be tender without any crunch.

Porcupine Meatballs Recipe

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Classic Porcupine Meatballs are tender ground beef meatballs mixed with rice and baked in a savory tomato sauce. This comforting casserole-style dish combines juicy browned meatballs with a flavorful tomato soup-based sauce, perfect served over rice or mashed potatoes for a hearty family meal.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: About 16 meatballs, serves 4-6 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup uncooked minute rice
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Tomato Sauce

• 1 (10-ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• ¾ cup water
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked minute rice, finely chopped onion, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Then shape the mixture into approximately 16 evenly sized meatballs.
3. Brown Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides for 4-5 minutes, turning every minute or so to ensure an even sear. This step adds flavor and texture to the meatballs.
4. Prepare Sauce and Bake: In a separate bowl, mix together the condensed tomato soup, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Place the browned meatballs into a casserole dish and pour the sauce evenly over them. Cover the dish with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
5. Bake Uncovered: After 15 minutes, remove the lid from the casserole dish. Spoon some of the sauce over the meatballs to keep them moist, then continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
6. Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and serve hot. Porcupine meatballs are delicious served over steamed rice or creamy mashed potatoes along with the flavorful sauce.

Notes

• Minute rice cooks quickly and absorbs liquid while baking, creating the ‘porcupine’ spiky look in the meatballs.
• Browning the meatballs before baking adds depth of flavor and helps them hold together.
• You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Porcupine Meatballs, meatballs, ground beef recipe, baked meatballs, comfort food, tomato sauce meatballs