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Porcupine Meatballs Dinner Recipe

Perfect Porcupine Meatballs Dinner Recipe in 45 Minutes

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Porcupine meatballs are a comforting dinner of ground beef and rice meatballs simmered in a savory tomato sauce. The rice cooks inside the meatballs, giving them a unique, textured appearance.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
  • Yield: 12 meatballs 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup uncooked long grain white rice
  • ½ cup water
  • ⅓ cup chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon celery salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken stock, or more as needed
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Mix ground beef, rice, water, onion, salt, celery salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl until combined. Roll into 12 meatballs.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs until well browned, about 8 minutes, turning once. Drain excess grease.
  4. Pour tomato sauce, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar into the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  5. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and rice is tender. Add more stock if the sauce becomes too dry.

Notes

  • Serve with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or a green vegetable.
  • The name ‘porcupine’ comes from the rice grains sticking out of the meatballs after cooking.
  • Do not overmix the meatball ingredients to keep them tender.
  • Ensure the skillet is hot before adding meatballs for a good sear.
  • Author: Livia Reed
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 53 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 meatballs
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg