Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
These Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs are a delightful and hassle-free meal your family will love! Made with lean ground beef or lamb, combined with rice and herbs, these meatballs are cooked to perfection in a rich tomato sauce. Not only are they quick to prepare, but they also fill the house with an irresistible aroma as they slow cook throughout the day. This recipe is versatile enough for mini meatballs for parties or to make in bulk for easy weeknight dinners. Plus, leftovers can be frozen for a convenient meal option later. Trust me, your kids will be asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
213
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef or lamb
1 lb (600 gm) (ground)
uncooked rice
1/2 cup (uncooked)
small onion
1 (finely chopped)
salt
1 pinch
pepper
1 pinch
mixed herbs
1 teaspoon
egg
1 (beaten)
tomato soup
2 (8 ounce) cans (420 gm each) (canned)
Instructions
1
In a bowl, combine the ground beef (or lamb), uncooked rice, finely chopped onion, egg, salt, pepper, and mixed herbs. Mix well with your hands until fully incorporated.
2
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches (3 cm) in diameter.
3
Place the meatballs in the bottom of your slow cooker.
4
Pour the two cans of tomato soup evenly over the meatballs, ensuring they are well covered.
5
For added texture and heartiness, you may mix in an additional handful of uncooked rice into the soup if desired.
6
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours, depending on your slow cooker’s settings.
7
If you prefer to cook on the stovetop, add two cans of water, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
Nutrition Information
9.8g
Fat
17g
Carbs
12.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Porcupine Meatballs?
Porcupine meatballs are a classic dish made from ground meat and rice. They get their name because as the rice cooks, it pokes out of the meatballs like porcupine quills.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 1 lb (600 gm) of lean ground beef or lamb.
Do I need to cook the rice before adding it to the meatballs?
No, you should use 1/2 cup of uncooked rice directly in the meat mixture.
How long do the meatballs cook in the slow cooker?
They should be cooked on the low setting for 5 to 7 hours.
Can I cook these on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, to cook on the stovetop, add two cans of water to the sauce, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
What size should I make the meatballs?
The mixture should be shaped into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches (3 cm) in diameter.
What is the base for the sauce?
The sauce is made using two 8 ounce cans (420 gm each) of tomato soup poured over the meatballs.
Can I add extra rice to the dish?
Yes, you can mix an additional handful of uncooked rice into the soup for added texture and heartiness.
Is there an egg in the recipe?
Yes, one beaten egg is used as a binder for the meatball mixture.
What seasonings are required?
The recipe uses a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, and one teaspoon of mixed herbs.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 213 calories.
What is the protein content of these meatballs?
There are 12.8g of protein per serving.
Are these meatballs freezer-friendly?
Yes, leftovers can be frozen for a convenient meal option later.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, these meatballs are described as a kid-friendly meal that children often ask for seconds of.
Can I use these for a party?
Absolutely, you can shape the mixture into mini meatballs to serve as party food.
How should I prepare the onion?
One small onion should be finely chopped before being added to the meat mixture.
How much fat is in this dish?
The recipe contains 9.8g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 17g of carbohydrates per serving.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before putting them in the slow cooker?
No, the instructions state to place the shaped meatballs directly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
What if I want a thinner sauce for the stovetop method?
The instructions recommend adding two cans of water when simmering on the stovetop.
What kind of herbs should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of mixed herbs, which can be any blend you prefer.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this a good recipe for batch cooking?
Yes, the recipe is versatile enough to make in bulk for easy weeknight dinners.
How do I ensure the meatballs are well covered?
Pour the two cans of tomato soup evenly over the meatballs in the slow cooker.
Can I use lamb instead of beef?
Yes, the recipe allows for either lean ground beef or lamb.
What is the consistency of the final dish?
The meatballs are cooked in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce.
How do I mix the meatball ingredients?
Mix the meat, rice, onion, egg, and seasonings well with your hands until fully incorporated.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as slow cooker, meatballs, easy dinner, one dish meal, kid-friendly, and freezer meal.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or frozen for later use.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is considered a one-dish meal because the meatballs and sauce cook together in the same vessel.