Porcupine Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 lean; can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken)
• 1 Onion (Medium, shredded; can dice if preferred)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Egg (Large, room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground if possible)
• 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 cup Cooked White Rice (Can use brown rice or jasmine rice; should be fully cooked and cooled)
• 1 cup Chicken Broth (Low‑sodium; can use water + bouillon cube)
• 2 8‑oz cans Tomato Sauce (Equivalent to about 1 cup total)
• 1 can Condensed Tomato Soup (Typically 10.5 oz; can substitute with tomato puree + a splash of milk)
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

   Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat while you prepare the meatballs and sauce.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 350°F

2. Prepare Rice (if not already cooked)

   Cook 1/4 cup uncooked white rice according to package directions, then let it cool. You can also use pre‑cooked rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice.

   Time: PT15M

3. Shred Onion

   Peel the onion and shred it using a grater or food processor. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can dice it instead.

   Time: PT5M

4. Mix Meatball Ingredients

   In the large mixing bowl combine ground beef, shredded onion, Worcestershire sauce, egg, salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder, and the cooked rice. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined; over‑mixing can make the meatballs tough.

   Time: PT5M

5. Form Meatballs

   Portion the mixture into about 22 equal balls (roughly 1 inch in diameter) and place them in a single layer in the baking dish.

   Time: PT5M

6. Prepare Sauce

   In a saucepan combine chicken broth, tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, and Italian seasoning. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

   Time: PT10M

7. Add Sauce to Meatballs

   Pour the hot sauce evenly over the meatballs in the baking dish, making sure each ball is at least partially covered.

   Time: PT2M

8. Bake

   Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 1 hour, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and the sauce is bubbling.

   Time: PT1H

   Temperature: 350°F

9. Rest and Serve

   Remove the dish from the oven, let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes, then serve over mashed potatoes or with a vegetable side.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

230

Protein

10 g

Carbohydrates

12 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

1 g