Description

Old Fashioned Porcupine Meatballs are a nostalgic comfort food made with ground beef, rice, and savory tomato sauce. The rice puffs out as it cooks, resembling porcupine quills, giving this dish its unique name and texture.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, rice, chopped onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well and form into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, combine tomato sauce, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to mix.
Place the meatballs into the sauce mixture in a single layer.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Uncover and cook an additional 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens and meatballs are fully cooked through.
Serve hot with mashed potatoes, noodles, or crusty bread.

Notes

Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
You can substitute tomato soup for tomato sauce for a slightly sweeter flavor.
Make ahead and refrigerate—flavors develop even more overnight.