Description
Oven porcupine meatballs are the ultimate comfort food, featuring juicy ground beef combined with tender long-grain rice, all baked in a savory, aromatic tomato sauce. This classic American dish is a fuss-free, family-favorite meal perfect for busy weeknights, offering a hearty and satisfying dinner that hits the spot every single time.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 large egg
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
2 cans (14 oz each) tomato sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350F and set the oven rack to the middle position.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
Form the mixture into approximately 20 uniform meatballs about 1.5 inches in size.
Place the meatballs into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs in the baking dish.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 60 minutes or until the rice is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure you use uncooked long grain rice; instant rice will become mushy. Ground turkey can be substituted for a lighter version. Cover tightly to steam the rice properly during the baking process.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American