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Porcupine Meatballs

4 servings

Dinner

Porcupine Meatballs

satisfying and straightforward Porcupine Meatballs take mere minutes to whip together and then slow cook until they’re fall-apart-tender!

Author’s note

The Meatballs I Didn’t Know I Needed

Here’s why It is satisfying to these Porcupine Meatballs and think you will too:

  • Just 25 minutes of hands-on time, then the slow cooker does the rest.
  • The rice cooks inside the meatballs—one less pot to clean.
  • The sauce is rich, slightly sweet, and full of flavor.
  • They freeze well, so I always double the batch for later.
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients!
  • The name always gets my kids excited to try them!

Quick Tip

For easier meatball rolling, keep ingredients cold, use cooking spray or oil on your hands, utilize a cookie scoop for portioning, and roll all meat portions at once for quicker preparation.

Ingredients

  • Ground Beef: Provides the primary structure and rich, meaty flavor.
  • White Rice: Adds texture; expands during cooking to give the porcupine effect.
  • Grated Onion and Minced Garlic: Boost flavor with a subtle, satisfying touch.
  • Egg: Acts as a binder, holding the meatball ingredients together.
  • Seasonings: Contribute to the overall flavor profile of the porcupine meatballs.

For the sauce:

  • Beef Stock/Broth: Adds depth to the sauce’s flavor.
  • Tomato Sauce: Forms the base of the sauce, offering a rich tomato flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes with sweetness.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, satisfying flavor.

How To Make Porcupine Meatballs

  1. Combine: Mix beef, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings.
  2. Shape & Broil: Form into meatballs and broil for 6 minutes.
  3. Sauce Mix: Blend beef stock, tomato sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire in a slow cooker.
  4. Cook: Add meatballs to sauce, then slow cook for 3-7 hours.
  5. Serve: On rice, optionally finish with parsley.

Storage

Store Porcupine Meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Enjoy these savory meatballs over cooked rice!

What To Serve With Porcupine Meatballs

The straightforward fruit salad recipe in a bowl with serving spoons.

Salads

a reliable Fruit Salad Recipe

Appetizers

Life-Changing No-Knead Dinner Rolls

Salads

Olive Garden Salad Recipe

Side Dishes

Roasted Green Beans (Two Ways!)

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