I had some hamburger and just agonized over it for days because I didn't want to end up with pasta sauce, and there wasn't enough to make a meat loaf. Then I remembered my mother's porcupine meatballs. Officially, the balls of raw meat are supposed to be rolled in raw rice, and then it cooks in the sauce. We use cooked rice, not risking it not cooking all the way, even though I think it does get done. I'm not going to give you exact amounts because you should just put in 'to taste' or according to what you have on hand. I had some crushed pineapple tonight, so I stirred that in.

Porcupine Meatballs

1 pound ground beef
Diced bell pepper
Diced onion
1 egg
Salt and pepper
Cooked rice (maybe 1/2 cup at the most)
1 can tomato soup
2 tablespoons water

Combine all the ingredients but the soup. Form into balls and nestle into a deep baking dish that has a lid. Pour half the soup over the meat, and stir the water into what's left in the can. Pour that over the meat. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour until the meat is done.

==
This cheesy creamed potatoes dish goes really well with the meatballs, but mashed potatoes would be good. Or even well-cooked cauliflower - something to put the tomato sauce over.

Cheesy Creamed Potatoes

1 - 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
Water to cook
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
Milk
Grated cheddar cheese, 1/4 - 1/2 cup
Salt and pepper

Cook the potatoes until done, and drain. Melt the butter and stir in the flour. Cook about 30 seconds, then stir in the milk, slowly. Stir it briskly to cook out any lumps. Cook until thickened, stir in the cheese to melt. Season with salt and pepper.

Green beans make a good vegetable for the plate because they do well in the cheese sauce, but we had Brussels sprouts.