Slow Cooked Porcupine Meatballs

✅️ Porcupine Meatballs (Slow-Cooked & Family-Approved)

These juicy meatballs are made with rice inside, giving them a fun “porcupine” look once cooked. Soft, flavorful, and comforting – and best of all, they hold together perfectly!

🔹️ Ingredients:

▶️500g (about 1.1 lbs) ground beef

▶️1/2 cup uncooked white rice

▶️1 medium onion, finely chopped

▶️1 tsp salt

▶️1/4 cup plain bread crumbs

▶️1 egg

▶️800ml canned tomato soup (about 27 oz)

▶️800ml water (use the same can to measure)

▶️ Instructions:

1. 🔸Mix the Meatballs:

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, chopped onion, bread crumbs, egg, and salt. Mix well with your hands or a spoon until fully combined.

2. 🔸Shape into Balls:

Roll the mixture into medium-sized meatballs (about the size of a golf ball).

3. 🔸Arrange in Dish:

Place the meatballs in a deep baking dish or slow cooker in a single layer.

4. 🔸Add Sauce:

In a separate bowl, mix the tomato soup with water until smooth. Pour it evenly over the meatballs.

5. 🔸Cook Low & Slow:

Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours in the slow cooker (or in the oven at 150°C/300°F if needed). The rice will cook inside the meatballs, and they'll soak up all that rich tomato flavor.

✅️ Tips for Perfect Results:

🔹️ Don't overmix the meat – it can make the meatballs tough. Mix just until combined.

🔹️ Use long-grain white rice – it gives the best texture and cooks through evenly.

🔹️ Let them rest for 10 minutes after cooking – this helps them firm up and makes serving easier.