Description
Old-Fashioned Porcupine Meatballs are a comforting classic dish featuring tender meatballs studded with rice, baked in a savory tomato sauce. This homemade recipe offers a perfect blend of hearty flavors and is easy to prepare in just under 2 hours, making it an ideal family dinner.
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- ¼ Cup Uncooked Regular Rice
- 1 Egg (slightly beaten)
- ¼ Cup Onion (minced)
- 2 Tablespoons Parsley (minced)
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Can Condensed Tomato Soup (10¾ ounces)
- 1¼ Cups Water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature while you prepare the meatballs.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, slightly beaten egg, minced onion, minced parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into approximately 1½-inch diameter balls, ensuring they are compact but not overworked to keep them tender.
- Brown Meatballs (Optional): For extra flavor and texture, brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of fat until all sides are lightly browned; this step can be skipped if preferred.
- Arrange Meatballs: Place the meatballs evenly spaced in the prepared casserole dish, allowing some room between them for even cooking.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together the Worcestershire sauce, condensed tomato soup, and water until smooth and well combined.
- Add Sauce to Meatballs: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs, covering them well to ensure they stay moist during baking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 1½ hours, or until meatballs are cooked through and the rice is tender.
Notes
- You can brown the meatballs before baking for added flavor but it is optional.
- Ensure the rice is uncooked as it cooks inside the meatballs during baking for the signature ‘porcupine’ look.
- Covering the dish during baking keeps the meatballs moist and tender.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
