Porcupine Meatballs with Cooked Rice in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Embark on a delightful culinary adventure with our Porcupine Meatballs with Cooked Rice in Tomato Sauce Recipe—a comforting and flavorful dish that turns ordinary meatballs into playful, rice-studded creations. This recipe invites you to savor the combination of savory meatballs, tender rice, and a rich tomato sauce that creates a symphony of tastes and textures. Whether you’re a meatball enthusiast or someone looking to add a creative twist to your dinner routine, these porcupine meatballs beckon you to embrace the joy of homemade goodness.

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In this culinary exploration, we delve into the art of crafting meatballs with cooked rice, where each bite reveals a delightful surprise of tender meat and perfectly cooked grains. The aroma of savory meatballs mingling with the rich tomato sauce creates a comforting and inviting atmosphere in your kitchen, promising a satisfying meal for both family dinners and special occasions.

Get ready to fill your home with the enticing scent of simmering tomato sauce and treat yourself to the pleasure of savoring a plateful of Porcupine Meatballs that captures the essence of comfort and flavor. Let’s embark on this delightful journey together, where each bite becomes a moment to appreciate the art of combining simple ingredients to create a meal that’s both whimsical and utterly delicious.

Baked Porcupine Meatballs

I always have some extra minced meat in the freezer, in case I do not have any ideas about what to make for dinner. Dinners are special for me, as it is the only time when all my family gets together. So, I try to make something delicious to make the time more pleasant. And porcupine meatballs in tomato sauce are the recipe for the occasion. They are delicious and juicy, full of flavor and texture.

Do you know why I like classic recipes? You can experiment with them as much as you want. Choose the type of grain you want to add, have it pre-cooked, or add it raw. You can even choose the way you can cook meatballs: in a crockpot, on the stove, or in the oven. I like to bake porcupine meatballs, as leaves you more free time to make a perfect garnish for dinner. What do I serve with porcupine meatballs? Well, starting with simple rotini pasta, any grain, and my favorite mashed potatoes.

Ingredients for Baked Porcupine Meatballs:

Ingredients for meatballs in tomato sauce

  • 500 g minced meat (ground pork or beef);
  • 100 g raw rice;
  • 2 onions;
  • 2 carrots;
  • 2 tbsps. olive oil;
  • 1 egg;
  • 2-3 garlic cloves;
  • 4 tbsps. sour cream;
  • 2 tbsps. tomato paste;
  • 250 ml water (or broth);
  • 1 tsp. sugar;
  • salt, pepper to taste.

How to cook meatballs with rice and tomato sauce in the oven:

  • Let’s cook rice first. We do not need it to be fully cooked for the recipe so take 1 cup of water for 1 cup of rice. Add a small pinch of salt when boiling rice.

Step_1 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Combine rice with minced meat in a large mixing bowl (let rice cool down to room temperature, you also can rinse it under cold running water for the purpose).

Step_2 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Grate carrots and chop onions.

Step_3 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Sauté vegetables until tender in the skillet on medium heat.

Step_4 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Half of the sautéed vegetables add to the bowl (as always let them cool down a bit). Beat an egg into the bowl.

Step_5 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Season with salt and pepper and mix ingredients thoroughly.

Step_6 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Add tomato paste, and sour cream to the remaining sautéed vegetables in the skillet. Pour broth or water into the mixture and combine everything. Do not forget to stir the sauce while it’s heating up. Let it simmer for 5 minutes at least. Season the sauce to your taste by adjusting the amount of added sugar, salt, and pressed garlic.

Step_7 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Shape meatballs from the mixture using your hands or a meatball maker. Put them on the baking tray. Place them not so close to each other.

Step_8 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Pour tomato sauce into the tray carefully, try not to touch the meatballs while adding sauce as it can deform the balls.

Step_9 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Bake porcupine meatballs uncovered for 50 minutes at 180°C/350°F.

Step_10 How to make meatballs with rice

  • Garnish with chopped fresh herbs before serving. Enjoy!

Hope that my recipe was helpful and you have learned how to make meatballs step by step. The recipe is easy enough. It does not require any special skills and is perfect as a make-ahead meal. Tomato sauce with sour cream goes perfectly with this type of meatball. But as usual, you can always add your favorite type of sauce.

Porcupine Meatballs with Cooked Rice in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Tomato sauce with sour cream goes perfectly with this type of meatball.
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine International
Keyword meatballs recipe, meatballs with rice in tomato sauce
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 178kcal

Ingredients

  • 500 g minced meat (ground pork or beef)
  • 100 g raw rice
  • 2 onions
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 4 tbsp. sour cream
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 250 ml water (or broth)
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Let’s cook rice first. We do not need it to be fully cooked for the recipe so take 1 cup of water for 1 cup of rice. Add a small pinch of salt when boiling rice.
  • Combine rice with minced meat in a large mixing bowl (let rice cool down to room temperature, you also can rinse it under cold running water for this purpose).
  • Grate carrots and chop onions.
  • Sauté vegetables until tender in the skillet on medium heat.
  • Half of the sautéed vegetables are added to the bowl (as always let them cool down a bit). Beat an egg into the bowl.
  • Season with salt and pepper and mix ingredients thoroughly.
  • Add tomato paste and sour cream to the remaining sautéed vegetables in the skillet. Pour broth or water into the mixture and combine everything. Do not forget to stir the sauce while it’s heating up. Let it simmer for 5 minutes at least. Season the sauce to your taste by adjusting the amount of added sugar, salt, and pressed garlic.
  • Shape meatballs from the mixture using your hands or a meatball maker. Put them on the baking tray. Place them not so close to each other.
  • Pour tomato sauce into the tray carefully, try not to touch the meatballs while adding sauce as it can deform the balls.
  • Bake porcupine meatballs uncovered for 50 minutes at 180°C/350°F.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh herbs before serving. Enjoy!

As the last porcupine meatball is enjoyed, we hope this culinary adventure has left you with a sense of hearty satisfaction. The savory meatballs, studded with rice and bathed in rich tomato sauce, create a dish that lingers in the memory.

If you have Pinterest, feel free to pin the recipe! Share this delightful recipe with your friends and family!

May this recipe become a cherished addition to your dinner repertoire, ready to bring joy and flavor to your table. As you savor the lingering comfort, let Porcupine Meatballs with Cooked Rice in Tomato Sauce be a reminder of the joy found in creative culinary twists and the simple pleasures of a homemade, heartwarming meal. Until our next flavorful journey, happy cooking and happy savoring!

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Julia Miller is the founder of FreeFoodTips. Julia loves to travel and test new recipes. Here you will find recipes that are simple, delicious and perfect for everyday meals. FreeFoodTips is also packed with cooking tips and tricks.

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