How to Make Oven Porcupine Meatballs

Here's another old-fashioned recipe that is inexpensive and tasty to make. Lean ground beef, rice, tomato sauce and seasonings are used to create this homey meal. The white rice gives the meatballs a spiky appearance, hence the name!

Ingredients

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 cup white rice
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
15 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Steps

1
Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C).
2
Mix meat, rice, 1/2 cup water, the onion, salt, garlic powder and pepper.
3
Shape mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls into balls.
4
Place meatballs into 8 x 8" baking dish.
5
Stir together remaining ingredients; pour over meatballs.
6
Cover. Bake 45 minutes.
7
Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer.
8
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Josiah Rondeau

Community Answer

Of course, brown rice is much healthier! It just needs more time to get tender.
Question

Should I use cooked or uncooked rice for this?

Community Answer

I would use uncooked rice.
Question

Can I use black pepper instead?

Community Answer

Yes.
Question

Do I cook the rice prior or will it cook in the oven?

Community Answer

No, the rice cooks in the oven. I have made this for years and it turns out beautifully.