Description
Porcupine Meatballs are a comforting classic American dish featuring tender meatballs mixed with rice, simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. The rice in the meatballs expands during cooking, giving them a distinctive spiky appearance, reminiscent of porcupines. Perfectly suited for a hearty family dinner, these meatballs are delicious served with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium egg
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup long grain rice (preferably basmati)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Sauce
- 28 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine lean ground beef, egg, minced garlic, long grain rice, salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Mix well until all ingredients are fully integrated.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 15-18 equal-sized meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet and refrigerate until you are ready to add them to the sauce. This helps the meatballs hold their shape during cooking.
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, mix together tomato sauce, chicken broth, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Gently lower the chilled meatballs into the simmering sauce. Return the sauce to a low simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 50-55 minutes. This ensures the meatballs cook through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F and the rice inside becomes fully tender.
- Serve: Serve the porcupine meatballs immediately, pairing them with extra rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty bread as desired.
Notes
- While any white rice can be used, long grain basmati rice works best for the signature “porcupine” look due to its shaft length and appearance once cooked.
- Porcupine Meatballs pair well with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower for a well-rounded meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
