Kittencal's Porcupine Meatballs In Sweet And Sour Tomato Sauce

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 tablespoons oil (or as needed)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional or adjust to desired heat level)
• 2 (14 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted (campbell's is best to use)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1/4-1/3 cup brown sugar (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or to taste) or 1 teaspoon white salt (or to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (use my kittencal's italian melt-in-your-mouth meatballs)
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant rice (such as minute rice)

Recipe

• 1 for the meatballs; mix the ground beef with ingredients stated in the recipe.
• 2 mix in 1-1/2 cups instant uncooked rice.
• 3 shape into about 1-1/4--inch balls or as desired, then place a plate.
• 4 for the sauce; in a pot heat oil over medium-high heat.
• 5 add in onion, oregano and basil; cook stirring for about 3-4 minutes or until softened.
• 6 add in garlic and chili flakes; cook stirring for 2-3 minutes.
• 7 add in all remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a simmer stirring over medium heat until well combined.
• 8 place the meatballs into the simmering sauce; bring back to a simmer (do not stir the sauce for at least 25 minutes or the meatballs will break apart).
• 9 reduce heat to low or to a low simmer and cook uncovered for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours stirring frequently after the 25-30 minutes of cooking time.
• 10 adjust the brown sugar and vinegar amounts if needed, then season with more salt and black pepper.