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Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
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Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are a comforting and hearty one-pot meal featuring tender ground beef meatballs with rice studs simmered in a rich and tangy tomato sauce. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, this classic family-friendly dish is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and freezes well for convenient meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or medium fat)
  • 1/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 cups canned tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked long grain rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, making sure the rice is visible on the surface as this gives them their “porcupine” appearance once cooked.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, mix together the tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  4. Cook the Meatballs in Sauce: Carefully nestle the meatballs into the simmering sauce, cover with a lid, and cook on low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The rice will cook through and the flavors will meld perfectly.
  5. Final Touches: Once the rice is tender and meatballs are cooked through, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up before serving.

Notes

  • Use long grain rice for the ideal texture inside meatballs.
  • Mix the meatball ingredients gently to avoid dense meatballs.
  • Simmer meatballs on low heat to ensure even cooking and to maintain sauce flavor.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil just before serving for brightness.
  • Test cooking one meatball first to adjust seasoning before shaping the rest.

Nutrition

Keywords: Porcupine meatballs, meatballs in tomato sauce, comfort food, family dinner, one pot meal, easy dinner, meal prep, gluten-free

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/porcupine-meatballs-in-tomato-sauce/