Porcupine Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 1/2 cup water
divided
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 can tomato sauce
15-ounce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- 1
Combine the rice, 1/2 cup of water, onion, salt, celery salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl. Add the ground beef and mix thoroughly.
- 2
Once the meat is well-seasoned, form it into meatballs. Each one should be approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
- 3
Add oil to a large skillet and cook the meatballs until they're uniformly brown. Drain them, and leave them in the skillet.
- 4
In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce, remaining water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the mixture over the cooked meatballs.
- 5
Reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and allow it to simmer for an hour. Then, serve and enjoy!
Porcupine Meatballs
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/porcupine-meatballs_audit1785_beauty97-6517f3d00ce04d66b1002fe7967d6f00.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 9 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Looking for a weeknight dinner that’s both fun and satisfying for the whole family? These perfectly seasoned Porcupine Meatballs, simmered in a super saucy tomato glaze, are a delightful answer, promising smiles around the dinner table.
What makes these meatballs special is the clever inclusion of uncooked long-grain rice directly into the ground beef mixture. This technique allows the rice to expand during cooking, creating that signature 'porcupine' texture while simultaneously absorbing the rich, tangy-sweet tomato sauce. It's a simple trick that ensures incredibly tender meatballs, setting them apart from ordinary versions.
Prepare for tender, juicy meatballs infused with a savory blend of chopped onion, salt, celery salt, pepper, and garlic powder, each studded with perfectly cooked grains of rice. They’re enveloped in a luscious, vibrant tomato sauce that expertly balances sweetness from brown sugar with the umami depth of Worcestershire sauce. Every bite delivers a comforting, flavorful experience that feels both classic and exciting. This dish is designed to be a hearty, saucy centerpiece for your family meal, taking about an hour and twenty minutes total from prep to table.
While ground beef forms the heart of this dish, for a slightly richer flavor, you could explore using a mix of beef and pork. For the sauce, if you prefer less sweetness, you can subtly reduce the brown sugar, or for an extra tang, a dash of apple cider vinegar could be added to complement the existing Worcestershire sauce. Don't have celery salt? A pinch of regular salt with a tiny bit of finely minced celery or celery seed could provide a similar aromatic note.
Serve these delightful Porcupine Meatballs generously over your favorite pasta to catch all that wonderful sauce, making for a truly satisfying and complete family dinner.