Porcupine Meatballs Dinner Classic (Printable Recipe)
Tender meatballs with rice in savory tomato sauce make this nostalgic one-pan dish a cozy family favorite.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Meatball Mixture
01 -
1 pound lean ground beef
02 -
1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
03 -
1 large egg, slightly beaten
04 -
1/3 cup finely minced onion
05 -
1 clove garlic, minced
06 -
1 tablespoon tomato paste
07 -
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
08 -
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
09 -
1 teaspoon coarse salt
10 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
→ For Cooking
11 -
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed
12 -
15 ounces canned tomato sauce
13 -
1 1/2 cups beef broth
14 -
2 tablespoons brown sugar
15 -
1 teaspoon coarse salt
16 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Serving
17 -
Cooked white rice with butter
18 -
Fresh chopped parsley
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper until evenly incorporated.
02 -
Using a cookie scoop or hands, form approximately 20 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
03 -
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Working in batches, brown meatballs on all sides for about 3 minutes, adding more oil as needed and adjusting heat to prevent overbrowning.
04 -
Wipe excess oil from skillet. Return all meatballs to the pan. Add tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, additional salt, and pepper. Stir gently to coat the meatballs.
05 -
Bring sauce to a gentle simmer, cover with lid or foil, and cook for 40 minutes. Toss meatballs occasionally until cooked through and rice is tender. Add more broth if sauce thickens too much.
06 -
Serve hot meatballs over cooked white rice topped with butter and fresh chopped parsley.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
For even cooking and consistent size, use a cookie scoop when forming meatballs.
02 -
This dish can also be baked. After browning, transfer to a baking dish, pour sauce over, and bake at 350°F for 40 minutes covered, then uncover for an additional 5–10 minutes.