Porcupine meatballs are tender beef meatballs made with rice and simmered in a savory tomato sauce. A comforting, family-friendly dish that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:50 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix ground beef, uncooked rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
In a separate bowl, combine tomato sauce, water, and Italian seasoning. Pour over the meatballs.
Cover and simmer over low heat for 45–50 minutes, gently stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Ensure meatballs are cooked through and rice is tender.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
You can bake them in a covered dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 hour as an alternative method.
Leftovers store well and can be reheated the next day.