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Baked Porcupine Meatballs

Baked Porcupine Meatballs: Comfort Food Made Easy and Fun

Baked Porcupine Meatballs are a comforting and easy family dinner, combining ground beef, rice, and savory tomato sauce.
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Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baked Porcupine Meatballs, comfort food, Easy Dinner, family-friendly, Freezer-Friendly, meatballs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 meatballs
Calories: 250kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking dish
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1 pound Ground Beef Can use lean ground turkey as a lighter option.
  • 1 cup Long Grain White Rice Avoid brown rice unless pre-cooked.
  • 1 large Egg Can substitute with a flax egg for a vegan version.
  • 1 medium Onion Finely chopped; shallots can be used for milder taste.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced; garlic powder can substitute if fresh is unavailable.
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Replace with dried oregano or basil if needed.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust according to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper Adjust according to taste.

For the Sauce

  • 15 ounces Tomato Sauce Homemade can be used for a personal touch.
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative.
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce Soy sauce can be a gluten-free substitute.
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar Optional but enhances overall flavor.

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and gather your baking dish, lightly greased.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, long grain white rice, egg, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, aiming for about 20. Place them in the greased baking dish.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir until well blended.
  • Pour the sauce over the meatballs evenly, ensuring they are coated.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  • Check if the rice is fully cooked. If not, bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy over pasta or with crusty bread.

Notes

These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for quick meals and reheat well in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 15mg