Chef Lynn Michelle’s Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Old-Fashioned Porcupine Meatballs in tomato sauce make a delicious and economical family meal. This recipe has been popular since the Great Depression when it was developed to make ground beef go further. Serve as is or over rice or mashed potatoes for a filling dinner.

Porcupine Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Porcupine meatballs are an old-fashioned favorite, developed during the depression to stretch the amount of ground meat. They are so-named because once cooked the rice sticks out of the meatball looking a bit like porcupine quills.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 12 meatballs

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp parsely (fresh or dried)
• 1 cup milk
• 8 oz tomato sauce (1 can)
• 12 oz condensed tomato soup (1 can)
• 1.5 cups water
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

 

• Mix the ground beef, rice, onion, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, poultry seasoning, baking powder, parselfy and milk n a bowl. Roll the mixture into rounded meatballs (makes about 12-15 meatballs)
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the meatballs. Cook meatna;;s, turning occasionally, until evenly browned. Drain and discard any excess grease.
• Mix the tomato sauce, tomato soup, water and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl and pour over the meatballs in the skillet; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center and the rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Str in more water if the sauce becomes too dry.

Notes

This is the perfect recipe to sneak in some extra nutrition in for your kids (or your husband) by adding in or swapping out some ingredients.  You can’t mess up this tried and true favorite!

• Use some of your favorite shredded cheese for an extra ooey gooey texture and flavor.
• Swap out the ground beef for ground chicken, pork, sausage, or turkey.
• Chop up small pieces of mushroom, carrot, or zucchini or bell peppers to add into your meatball.

Keyword meatball