Porcupines in BBQ Sauce

Porcupines in BBQ Sauce. These little meatballs are called porcupines because the rice makes them look a bit spiky. They cook slowly in a sweet BBQ tomato sauce until they are soft and tasty. Kids and grown-ups both like them, and they go great with pasta or vegetables.

Small beef meatballs with rice slow-cooked in a sweet BBQ tomato sauce. The rice gives them a fun textured look, and the sauce makes them tender and full of flavor. Easy to make in a slow cooker for a busy day. Serve over pasta or with steamed veggies.

Serving: 24
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 6 hours
Total time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 500 g lean minced beef

• 1/2 cup raw long-grain white rice

• 1 large onion, grated

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (to taste)

• Plain flour for dusting

• 400 g can diced or crushed tomatoes

• 420 g can cream of tomato soup concentrate

• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

• 1 tbsp packed brown sugar

Porcupines in BBQ Sauce: Directions

1. Put the minced beef, rice, grated onion, salt, pepper, and minced garlic in a large bowl. Mix with clean hands until everything is well combined.

2. Roll the mix into small balls, about as big as a golf ball.

3. Lightly roll each ball in plain flour to coat them. Place the floured balls in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.

4. In a separate bowl, stir together the diced or crushed tomatoes, cream of tomato soup concentrate, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar until smooth.

5. Pour the sauce gently over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid.

6. Cook on low for about 6 hours, until the meatballs are tender and cooked through.

7. Serve the porcupines over penne pasta and add fresh vegetables on the side if you like.