Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
  • PREP TIME
    10 mins
  • COOK TIME
    35 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    45 mins
  • SERVING
    6 People
  • VIEWS
    42

These comforting 'Porcupine Meatballs' feature tender, rice-studded meatballs simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce. This dish transforms humble ingredients into a satisfying family meal, perfect for a cozy night in.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    22 g
  • Cholesterol
    75 mg
  • Fiber
    2 g
  • Protein
    17 g
  • Saturated Fat
    4 g
  • Sodium
    745 mg
  • Sugar
    6 g
  • Fat
    10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, rice, chopped onion, and beaten egg. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Using your hands, shape the mixture into approximately 12-15 evenly sized meatballs. (10 minutes)

03

Step

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. This step adds depth of flavor to the dish. Remove the meatballs from the pot and set aside. (15 minutes)

04

Step

Pour the crushed tomatoes and water into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the sauce to a simmer. (5 minutes)

05

Step

Gently lower the browned meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the meatballs are cooked through. (40 minutes)

06

Step

To serve, place the meatballs on a serving plate or in bowls, and ladle the luscious tomato sauce generously over the top. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.

For a richer sauce, consider adding a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the crushed tomatoes.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to partially blend the tomato sauce before adding the meatballs.
These meatballs are excellent served with a side of crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce, or over a bed of pasta or mashed potatoes.

Aurelio Bayer

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.7/ 5 ( 14 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Armani Leuschke

    I used ground turkey instead of beef, and they still turned out great!

  • Erling Reichel

    So easy to make, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

  • Madonna Welch

    My family loved these! The rice gave them such a unique texture.

  • Camille Skiles

    Doubled the recipe and froze half for later – so convenient!

  • Lawrence Hammes

    I've made this recipe countless times, and it's always a hit! Thanks for sharing.

  • Taurean Zemlak

    Using beef broth instead of water definitely made a difference in the flavor.

  • Estevan Torp

    The key is to not overmix the meatball mixture; otherwise, they can be tough.

  • Chadd Davis

    I added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat, and it was delicious!

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