The Absolute Best Porcupine Meatballs Recipes

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• To a large mixing bowl add ground beef, rice, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, 3 tbsp parsley, the Italian seasoning, egg, salt and pepper. Mix together fairly well with your hands until even combined.
• Scoop out mixture about 2 slightly heaping tablespoons at a time (43g) each and compress and roll into balls (about 1 1/2-inches each). Set on a baking sheet or plates as you shape them.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs spacing evenly apart. Let sear on bottom until golden brown, about 1 - 2 minutes. Carefully turn to opposite side (meatballs can be fairly delicate) and let brown on opposite side about 1 - 2 minutes longer.
• Transfer browned meatballs back to baking sheet, then add remaining half of the meatballs and brown on each side.
• Return meatballs on baking sheet to pot then right away pour in tomato sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire, and red bell pepper. Bring mixture just to a simmer.
• Cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer until meatballs are cooked through and tender, about 25 to 30 minutes, gently tossing meatballs once halfway through.
• If desired thin with more chicken broth. Serve warm garnished with remaining 1 Tbsp parsley and optional shredded mozzarella (not included in nutrition estimate).

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Use your hands to mix the ground beef, egg, onion, rice, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of the Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of the garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a large bowl until well combined. Roll the meat mixture into 24 balls (each about 2 heaping tablespoons and 1 inch in diameter).
• Heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the meatballs and cook until lightly browned on all sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium, then stir in the tomato puree, ketchup, remaining 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, remaining 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper until the sauce is combined and meatballs are well coated.
• Cover with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the oven. Bake until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink, the rice is tender and poking out and the sauce has reduced slightly, about 50 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and top with more chopped parsley.

CLASSIC PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the rice, water, chopped onion, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
• Shape the ground beef mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to help make them uniform in size. (Or you can weigh them as you shape them.) Place them in an ungreased 2-quart shallow baking dish.
• Make the sauce by mixing together the tomato sauce, water, and Worcestershire sauce in a measuring cup or bowl.
• Now it's time to cook the meatballs. Continue reading for the oven method, or scroll down to the stovetop method.
• Pour the sauce over the porcupine meatballs, cover the baking dish tightly with foil, and bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 55 minutes.
• Uncover and bake the meatballs 15 to 20 minutes longer, until bubbling and cooked through. Serve and enjoy.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to a large deep skillet over medium heat.
• Add the shaped meatballs and cook, turning, until the meatballs are evenly browned. Drain and discard the drippings.
• Add the tomato sauce ingredients to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer. Lower the heat and cover the pan. Continue cooking for about 45 minutes. Check occasionally and add water, if necessary. Serve and enjoy.

THE ABSOLUTE BEST PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350F. In a bowl, add all sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• In a small bowl add the bread and milk and gently press down. Allow to soak for ~5 minutes.
• In a large bowl add the rest of the meatball ingredients. Add the panade mixture (milk and bread) to the bowl. Without overworking the mixture, gently mix just to combine. The mixture should be wet but hold a shape when you form it into a ball. Scoop enough meat mixture to form a 2" round ball (I use a large cookie scoop to measure out my meatballs). Wet your hands and shape. Damp hands are a trick to keeping the mixture from sticking to your hands! *See post for freezing instructions.
• Place the meatballs in a 3-4 quart baking dish or 9×13" baking pan. They can touch. Repeat until all of the meatballs are shaped and in a pan. If necessary, use 2 pans if you do not have a large enough pan.
• Pour the mixture over top of the meatballs. Cover the meatballs with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the cover and bake for another 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165F.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before plating.
• Store leftovers in a lidded container in the fridge for up to a week.

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Add beef and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. In a large skillet, brown meatballs in oil; drain. Combine tomato sauce, water, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce; pour over meatballs. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour.

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, rice, egg, parsley, onion, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup of the tomato soup. Mix well.
• Shape mixture into about 20 small meatballs.
• Place meatballs in a large skillet.
• Mix rest of soup, water, and Worcestershire in a small bowl; pour over meatballs.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; cover; and simmer 40 mintes or until meatballs are cooked and rice is soft, stirring often.