When you’re on the lookout for a comforting, easy-to-make dinner that the entire household will love, look no additional than these Porcupine Meatballs! Tender meatballs full of rice and simmered in a savory tomato sauce, these nostalgic delights are certain to carry a smile to everybody’s face.
Why You may Love These Magnificent Meatballs
- Straightforward. Minimal elements and fast prep time make this a breeze for any cook dinner.
- Hearty. Full of floor beef and rice, these meatballs are filling and satisfying.
- Child-Pleasant. The enjoyable look of rice “quills” makes them successful with the little ones.
- Finances-Pleasant. Reasonably priced elements that stretch to feed a crowd.
Whether or not you’re serving these for a comfortable household dinner or meal prepping for the week, Porcupine Meatballs are a flavorful, healthful dish that’s straightforward on each your time and your pockets.
What Are Porcupine Meatballs?
Porcupine Meatballs get their identify from the rice contained in the meatballs that pokes out throughout cooking, giving them a spiky, “porcupine-like” look.
These meatballs mix floor beef, rice, and seasonings, all simmered in a wealthy tomato sauce till tender. The rice contained in the meatballs cooks to perfection, making this dish distinctive and scrumptious!
Why Do My Porcupine Meatballs Fall Aside?
In case your porcupine meatballs are falling aside, there are a couple of frequent causes that may very well be inflicting the issue. Listed below are some ideas that can assist you hold your meatballs intact:
- Not Sufficient Binder. Meatballs want a binder to carry them collectively. When you’re not utilizing sufficient egg, the combination can disintegrate. Usually, 1 egg per pound of floor meat is sufficient to act as a binder. You too can add breadcrumbs should you discover your combination too unfastened.
- Overmixing. Overmixing the meat could make the meatballs powerful and extra more likely to disintegrate throughout cooking. Be light when mixing the elements—simply mix till every part is integrated.
- Rice Not Correctly Combined. Since porcupine meatballs depend on raw rice to provide them their signature look, it is important that the rice is evenly distributed all through the combination. If there are uneven pockets of rice, the meatballs might break aside whereas cooking.
By conserving the following pointers in thoughts, your porcupine meatballs ought to keep intact and are available out completely each time!
Substances You may Want
- Floor Beef– Lean floor beef is ideal, however you need to use a mix of pork or turkey.
- White Rice– Raw long-grain white rice provides the meatballs their signature “quills.”
- Onion– Finely chopped for taste.
- Egg– Helps bind the meatballs collectively.
- Garlic Powder– Provides a depth of taste.
- Salt and Pepper– To style.
- Tomato Sauce– A wealthy base for simmering the meatballs.
- Beef Broth– Provides additional taste and retains the meatballs moist.
How To Make Porcupine Meatballs
- Put together the Meatballs. In a big mixing bowl, mix the bottom beef, raw rice, chopped onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Combine till nicely mixed, however keep away from overworking the combination to maintain the meatballs tender.
- Type the Meatballs. Roll the combination into golf ball-sized meatballs. It’s best to find yourself with about 12–16 meatballs, relying on the dimensions.
- Brown the Meatballs. In a big skillet, warmth a tablespoon of oil over medium warmth. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if essential to keep away from overcrowding the pan. This provides a scrumptious crust to the meatballs.
- Simmer in Sauce. As soon as browned, add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the skillet. Carry the sauce to a simmer, then cowl and cook dinner on low warmth for 30–35 minutes. The rice contained in the meatballs will cook dinner and increase, creating the porcupine look.
- Serve and Get pleasure from. As soon as the meatballs are absolutely cooked and the sauce has thickened, take away from warmth and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or a crusty loaf of bread to take in the scrumptious sauce.
Ideas And Tips
Making Porcupine Meatballs is easy, however a couple of ideas can make sure you get the perfect outcomes each time:
- Use Lean Floor Beef. This reduces the quantity of grease within the pan and retains your sauce from changing into too oily.
- Don’t Overmix. Overworking the meatball combination could make them dense. Combine simply till mixed.
- Simmer, Don’t Boil. Preserve the warmth low to forestall the meatballs from falling aside throughout cooking.
Variations
These meatballs are extremely versatile, so be at liberty to change issues up to fit your style!
- Spicy– Add a pinch of pink pepper flakes or use a spicy tomato sauce for a bit of warmth.
- Turkey– Swap out the bottom beef for floor turkey to make a lighter model.
- Tacky– Add a dice of mozzarella to the middle of every meatball for a gooey shock.
What To Eat With Porcupine Meatballs
These meatballs pair completely with a wide range of sides:
- Mashed Potatoes– A traditional selection to take in the sauce.
- Steamed Greens– A wholesome choice to steadiness the hearty meatballs.
- Bread– Good for mopping up each final little bit of sauce.
- Rice or Pasta– Serve the meatballs over a mattress of rice or pasta for a filling meal.
How Lengthy Do They Final?
Porcupine Meatballs could be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Reheat the meatballs in a skillet over low warmth or within the microwave till warmed by means of.
Can You Freeze Them?
Sure! Porcupine Meatballs freeze fantastically. As soon as cooled, place them in an hermetic container or freezer bag. Freeze for as much as 3 months.
To reheat, thaw in a single day within the fridge and heat in a skillet with further tomato sauce or broth if wanted.
Extra Marvelous Meatball Recipes
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Servings: 16 Meatballs
Energy: 65kcal
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Directions
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Put together the Meatballs. In a big mixing bowl, mix the bottom beef, raw rice, chopped onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Combine till nicely mixed, however keep away from overworking the combination to maintain the meatballs tender.
-
Type the Meatballs. Roll the combination into golf ball-sized meatballs. It’s best to find yourself with about 12–16 meatballs, relying on the dimensions.
-
Brown the Meatballs. In a big skillet, warmth a tablespoon of oil over medium warmth. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if essential to keep away from overcrowding the pan. This provides a scrumptious crust to the meatballs.
-
Simmer in Sauce. As soon as browned, add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the skillet. Carry the sauce to a simmer, then cowl and cook dinner on low warmth for 30–35 minutes. The rice contained in the meatballs will cook dinner and increase, creating the porcupine look.
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Serve and Get pleasure from. As soon as the meatballs are absolutely cooked and the sauce has thickened, take away from warmth and serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or a crusty loaf of bread to take in the scrumptious sauce.
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Vitamin
Energy: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 7g | Fats: 3g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
