![Meatballs in Tomato Sauce](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata1.behind.ai%2Fimages%2F5LTHERZq6vjNURpqcjr08eaf6%2F1920%2Fimage.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
These meatballs are often called «porcupines» – because of the sticking-out rice grains. They are very easy to make.
Serves: 4
1 lb mixed ground meat (pork and beef)
1 egg
Half-cup rice
1 teaspoon salt
1 onion
2-3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 tablespoons vegetable (sunflower) oil
![Image 1](https://data1.behind.ai/images/aJMMmHSgNyWyOcCNF0Icc5fb5/960/image.jpg)
Place the rice into a pot and cover with a cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook for another 5-7 minutes, till all the water boils out.
Take the rice off the stove, let cool and transfer to a bowl.
Add the egg and mix with the rice.
![Image 3](https://data1.behind.ai/images/KfqMAKsQXEswZwZNF0I81bddb/960/image.jpg)
![Image 4](https://data1.behind.ai/images/GEzd1uXZwV68g2dNF0I161692/960/image.jpg)
Add the ground meat along with two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt.
![Image 6](https://data1.behind.ai/images/PBhKy7a9qJLAYaKNF0I3df5a2/960/image.jpg)
Mix everything well.
![Image 8](https://data1.behind.ai/images/WY1xdRUlryill81NF0I736acc/960/image.jpg)
![Image 9](https://data1.behind.ai/images/KyL8VMyyuw2TCE1NF0I900945/960/image.jpg)
![Image 10](https://data1.behind.ai/images/3Rq6wieKgNiM4LYNF0I7d42c4/960/image.jpg)
Divide into 8 equal parts.
![Image 12](https://data1.behind.ai/images/YrHQKCTcKTTxMRtNF0I7202c5/960/image.jpg)
Wet your hands and roll each part into a ball (the ground meat won’t stick to wet hands).
![Image 14](https://data1.behind.ai/images/fzljOxhWYnSIPMNNF0Ic0042f/960/image.jpg)
Place the balls into a deep baking dish.
![Image 16](https://data1.behind.ai/images/kRMKnWK8gtCKoPxNF0If78e2a/960/image.jpg)
Place into a preheated 400F oven for 20 minutes.
Chop up the onions and garlic.
Place into a frying pan, add the oil and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
![Image 18](https://data1.behind.ai/images/TtNij1xPr0vkkQSNF0Ifbef00/960/image.jpg)
Add the flour and tomato paste.
![Image 20](https://data1.behind.ai/images/QP8FbMgEOwicl6ANF0Iedf5b0/960/image.jpg)
Stir well and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
![Image 22](https://data1.behind.ai/images/P21ZqQOlBJkgxs8NF0I78fe0a/960/image.jpg)
Add 2 cups of cold water and stir thoroughly to dissolve any flour lumps.
Add the remaining one-third teaspoon of salt.
![Image 24](https://data1.behind.ai/images/CnOOsnaypZCmoneNF0Ie99187/960/image.jpg)
Bring the sauce to a boil and take off the stove.
Pour the sauce over the half-cooked meatballs in the baking dish so that they’re completely covered.
![Image 26](https://data1.behind.ai/images/OktY6svpluN3obONF0I5da7ed/960/image.jpg)
![Image 27](https://data1.behind.ai/images/3U4Krx9hsjrQnYrNF0I92d1ad/960/image.jpg)
![Image 28](https://data1.behind.ai/images/xHFMPVHCj9Vzq2XNF0I44bbaf/960/image.jpg)
Return the meatballs back into the oven for another 15 minutes.
![Image 30](https://data1.behind.ai/images/95ELQFfDFdjL52uNF0I427ad3/960/image.jpg)
The sauce will boil again in the oven.
![Image 32](https://data1.behind.ai/images/oYGvtLwGlfjy88qNF0Ic7e5c9/960/image.jpg)
![Image 33](https://data1.behind.ai/images/rv820GZPxCbYWBlNF0I7374d2/960/image.jpg)
Serve with any side dish.
![Image 35](https://data1.behind.ai/images/PKGUgLmqiY7w1fZNF0Id3c569/960/image.jpg)