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Porcupine Meatballs Made Easy

Porcupine Meatballs Made Easy

Tender beef meatballs studded with rice simmer in a savory tomato sauce. A cozy, one-pan weeknight classic.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (about 85% lean) lean-to-fat around 85/15 works best
  • 0.5 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked do not cook first
  • 0.5 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 0.25 cup milk 2% or whole
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional, for mixture and garnish
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for browning
  • 2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium if preferred
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp brown sugar balances acidity
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried basil and oregano

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Whisk tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and Italian seasoning in a bowl; set aside.
  • Combine ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, milk, salt, pepper, and parsley in a large bowl until just mixed.
  • Shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs; you should get about 16–18.
  • Heat olive oil in a wide skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown meatballs on two sides, 2–3 minutes per side.
  • Pour the sauce around and over the meatballs. Gently turn to coat and bring to a simmer.
  • Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30–35 minutes, turning once, until rice is tender and centers reach 160°F.
  • Rest 5 minutes. Spoon sauce over meatballs and finish with a sprinkle of parsley.

Notes

Variation: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the sauce for gentle heat, or swap half the beef for ground turkey. Serving tip: Spoon meatballs over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles to catch the sauce. Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months; reheat gently with a splash of broth.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Porcupine Meatballs Made Easy flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.