Description
Tender beef and rice meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce until cozy, hearty, and full of nostalgic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place a large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid over medium heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, chopped onion, milk, egg, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs.
- Add the olive oil to the skillet or Dutch oven. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Nestle the meatballs into the sauce in a single layer and spoon a little sauce over the tops.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, turning the meatballs once halfway through, until the rice is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Remove the lid for the last 5 minutes if you want a thicker sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture or the texture can become dense.
- Use regular long-grain white rice, not instant rice, for the best texture.
- Keep the pan covered during most of the cooking time so the rice cooks properly.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, buttered rice, or warm bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: porcupine meatballs, beef and rice meatballs, tomato sauce meatballs, vintage comfort food, easy family dinner