Sweet and Savory Porcupine Meatballs
Sweet and Savory Porcupine Meatballs are a delightful family favorite that combines tender, juicy meatballs with a rich, flavorful sauce. The unique twist of adding rice into the meatballs not only makes them heartier but also visually appealing, resembling the quills of a porcupine. With just the right balance of sweetness from brown sugar and acidity from the tomato sauce, these meatballs are perfect served over rice or pasta. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to become a staple at your dinner table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
long grain rice
1/2 cup (uncooked)
water
1/2 cup (for cooking rice)
chopped onion
1/3 cup (fresh)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
celery salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
ground beef
1 pound (fresh)
cooking oil
2 tablespoons (for browning)
tomato sauce
15 ounces (canned)
water
1 cup (for the sauce)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (to taste)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine uncooked rice, water, chopped onion, salt, celery salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until well mixed.
2
Add the ground beef to the mixture and use your hands to combine thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3
Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring they are packed firmly.
4
In a large skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in a single layer, browning on all sides until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Do this in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
5
Once browned, drain excess oil and fat from the skillet, returning the meatballs to the pan.
6
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until well blended.
7
Pour the sauce mixture over the browned meatballs in the skillet, ensuring they are well coated.
8
Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the meatballs to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in Sweet and Savory Porcupine Meatballs?
The main protein in this recipe is one pound of ground beef.
Why are these meatballs called porcupine meatballs?
They are named porcupine meatballs because the rice added to the meat mixture sticks out as they cook, resembling the quills of a porcupine.
What type of rice should be used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of uncooked long grain rice.
Should the rice be cooked before adding it to the ground beef?
No, the rice should be uncooked when it is mixed with the other ingredients.
What seasonings are used in the meatball mixture?
The meat mixture includes chopped onion, salt, celery salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
How large should the meatballs be shaped?
The mixture should be shaped into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter.
How do you prepare the meatballs before simmering?
The meatballs are first browned in a skillet with cooking oil on all sides for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Should I drain the fat from the pan after browning?
Yes, once browned, you should drain the excess oil and fat from the skillet before adding the sauce.
What ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce consists of tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
How much tomato sauce is needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 15 ounces of canned tomato sauce.
How much brown sugar is added to the sauce?
Two tablespoons of brown sugar are used to provide the sweetness in the sauce.
What is the role of Worcestershire sauce in this dish?
Two teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce are added to help create a savory depth to the sauce mixture.
How long do the meatballs need to simmer?
The meatballs should simmer for 1 hour on low heat.
Should the skillet be covered while simmering?
Yes, the skillet should be covered during the hour-long simmering process.
What is the suggested heat level for simmering?
The heat should be reduced to low once the sauce is added to ensure a gentle simmer.
How often should the meatballs be stirred during the simmering phase?
You should stir the meatballs occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the pan.
How much water is mixed with the rice?
The rice mixture uses 1/2 cup of water.
How much water is added to the sauce mixture?
One cup of water is whisked into the sauce mixture.
How much onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of fresh chopped onion.
What type of oil is used for browning?
Two tablespoons of cooking oil are used to brown the meatballs.
Can these meatballs be served with other dishes?
Yes, they are perfect when served over rice or pasta.
Is this recipe considered family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a kid-friendly comfort food dish that is a staple for family dinners.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
The recipe contains 13 specific ingredients.
What should I do if my skillet is too small for all the meatballs?
You should brown the meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
What flavor profile do these meatballs have?
They have a sweet and savory profile with acidity from tomato sauce balanced by brown sugar.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to combine the uncooked rice, water, onion, and spices in a large mixing bowl.
How should the meatballs be packed when shaping?
Ensure the meatballs are packed firmly so they hold their shape during browning.
Does the recipe use celery salt?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt is used in the meatball mixture.
What amount of garlic powder is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Is black pepper used in this dish?
Yes, 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper is added to the seasoning mix.