Porcupine Meatballs (Stuffed Pepper Meatballs)
Porcupine Meatballs – they are meatballs made with ground beef, rice, onion, and bell pepper that’s cooked in a simple tomato sauce mixture. They taste like a stuffed pepper but in meatball form. A classic favorite from my childhood and one of the tastiest comfort foods! Obviously they’re no actual porcupine meat included in the ingredients, rather it’s how the rice in the meatballs pokes out while cooking giving them a porcupine-like appearance.
This dish became very popular during the great depression because it only required a few basic ingredients. Traditionally they were made with ground beef, rice, onion and canned tomato soup.
You can try variations! Add some grated parmesan cheese to the meatballs. Use other herbs such as fresh basil or oregano. Try with crushed San Marzano tomatoes in place of tomato sauce.
Finish with mozzarella or cheddar cheese over the top upon serving for the classic stuffed pepper flavor. If you want them extra saucy add more tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs. 85% lean ground beef
- 3/4 cup jasmine rice*
- 3/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 3/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 large garlic clove, minced (1.5 tsp)
- 3 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, then more to thin as desired
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley