Easy Baked Porcupine Meatballs

This Easy Baked Porcupine Meatballs recipe is a comforting and family-friendly dish featuring tender meatballs made with ground beef and rice, baked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, these hearty meatballs require minimal effort and deliver big flavor. Serve them with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a satisfying meal that’s quick and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 egg
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper, to taste

For the Sauce:

2 (14-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar (packed)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the oven rack in the middle.
Prepare the Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well using your hands until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Form the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into approximately 20 meatballs, each about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the formed meatballs in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the Sauce
In a medium bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Stir until smooth.
Bake the Meatballs
Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the meatballs in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam for cooking the rice. Bake for 1 hour.
Check for Doneness
After 1 hour, check the rice inside the meatballs. If it’s not fully cooked, return the dish to the oven for additional baking until the rice is tender.
Serve
Serve the meatballs hot with their savory sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Baked Porcupine Meatballs are a hearty, comforting classic. Combining ground beef and rice in every tender bite, they’re cooked in a rich tomato sauce that’s full of flavor. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals.

Tips

Ensure the foil covering the baking dish is tightly sealed to properly steam the rice.
For even-sized meatballs, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the mixture.
Use lean ground beef to prevent excess grease in the baking dish.

Variations and Substitutions

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Add chopped bell peppers or shredded carrots to the meatball mixture for extra veggies.
Use beef broth instead of chicken broth for a richer flavor in the sauce.
Replace Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce for a slightly different taste.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and ensure your rice and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

What should I do if the rice isn’t fully cooked?
Simply cover the dish tightly again and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the rice softens.

Can I freeze these meatballs?
Yes. Assemble the meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe dish, cover, and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Serving

These meatballs are delicious served over mashed potatoes, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Suggestions

Pair this dish with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully and make for a satisfying lunch or quick dinner the next day.