Grandma’s Porcupine Meatballs
These classic meatballs use uncooked rice that expands while simmering to create a fun, hearty dinner.
recipesbynani.comThere is something so comforting about these old fashioned porcupine meatballs. This recipe came from my grandma, and it has been a favorite in our family for years because it turns simple pantry staples into a filling meal that everyone enjoys.
I love this recipe because everything cooks together in one skillet. Since the rice is added uncooked, it absorbs all the flavor from the tomato sauce as it expands. Just remember to handle the mixture gently when shaping your meatballs, as it will feel softer than a standard meatball recipe.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed tomato soup, divided
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, onion, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, paprika, pepper, and 1/4 cup of the tomato soup.
- 2
Mix the meat mixture thoroughly and gently shape it into about 20 meatballs, then place them into a large skillet.
- 3
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining tomato soup, water, and Worcestershire sauce.
- 4
Pour the soup mixture over the meatballs in the skillet.
- 5
Bring the liquid to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to low.
- 6
Cover the skillet and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, gently spooning the sauce over the meatballs once or twice during cooking.
- 7
Check that the rice is tender and the beef is fully cooked before serving.
💡 Tips
Store any leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When serving, these pair beautifully with a side of mashed potatoes or extra steamed rice to soak up the sauce.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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