Ingredients
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup water, divided
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, ½ cup water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the uncooked rice, ½ cup water, chopped onion, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika. Toss the ingredients together until mixed.
- Add the ground beef: Add the ground beef and canola oil to the rice mixture, then mix thoroughly until the beef is well combined and the mixture is evenly incorporated.
- Form the meatballs: Scoop out 1-2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll into a ball. Place the meatball in a 9×13 baking dish. Repeat this step until all meatballs are formed, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the meatballs: Pour the prepared tomato sauce over the meatballs, giving the baking dish a gentle shake to distribute the sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Serve: Serve the porcupine meatballs hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add some grated Parmesan to the meatball mixture.
- Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- These meatballs can be served with mashed potatoes, rice, or a side salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
