Skip to main content

porcupine meatballs recipe.

 


🦔 Easy Porcupine Meatballs Recipe – Classic Comfort Food with a Twist

Porcupine Meatballs Recipe | Classic Comfort with Rice and Ground Beef
Make tender, juicy porcupine meatballs with ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce. A simple, family-friendly dinner that's perfect for weeknights!

🍽️ Introduction

Looking for a hearty, comforting meal that the whole family will love? These porcupine meatballs are an old-fashioned favorite made with ground beef, uncooked rice, and a flavorful tomato sauce. As the meatballs cook, the rice sticks out—just like tiny porcupine quills—giving this dish its charming name.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or freezer prep, this recipe is both budget-friendly and kid-approved.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • One-pan meal – easy cleanup!
  • Classic retro comfort food
  • Made with simple pantry ingredients
  • Can be baked, slow-cooked, or simmered on the stovetop
  • Freezer-friendly and meal prep ready

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
  • 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika or Italian seasoning (optional)

For the Tomato Sauce:

  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano or basil

👨‍🍳 How to Make Porcupine Meatballs – Step-by-Step

1. Preheat Oven (if baking)

Preheat to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix the Meatball Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, milk, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings. Mix just until combined—don’t overwork the meat.

3. Form the Meatballs

Shape mixture into 1.5-inch balls (makes about 12–16 meatballs).

4. Make the Sauce

In a separate bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and herbs.

5. Combine and Cook

Oven Method:
Place meatballs in a baking dish. Pour sauce over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until rice is tender.

Stovetop Method:
Place meatballs and sauce in a large skillet with a lid. Simmer covered on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Slow Cooker Method:
Place meatballs and sauce in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3 hours.

🍝 Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or steamed rice
  • Add a side of green beans, roasted broccoli, or garlic bread
  • Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese

🧊 Storage & Freezing

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
  • Freezer: Freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs with sauce for up to 3 months
  • Reheat: Microwave or simmer on the stove with a splash of broth

🔄 Variations & Tips

  • Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version
  • Add chopped bell peppers or zucchini to the sauce for hidden veggies
  • Want it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or chipotle powder to the meat mixture
  • Substitute marinara or a creamy tomato soup for a richer flavor

❓ FAQs

Q: Why are they called “porcupine” meatballs?
A: As the rice cooks and expands, it pokes out of the meatballs—resembling little porcupine quills!

Q: Can I use instant rice?
A: It’s best to use regular long-grain rice. Instant rice may overcook and become mushy.

Q: Do I need to cook the rice first?
A: Nope! That’s the beauty of this recipe—the uncooked rice cooks inside the meatballs, soaking up flavor as it goes.

💬 Conclusion

This classic porcupine meatball recipe brings vintage comfort food to your modern kitchen. Hearty, saucy, and packed with flavor, it’s a dish that satisfies every time. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or looking for a cozy family meal, this easy recipe checks all the boxes.



Nutrition

Serving: 3meatballs with sauceCalories: 208.7kcalCarbohydrates: 19.4gProtein: 17.6gFat: 6.8gSaturated Fat: 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 77.7mgSodium: 530.2mgPotassium: 313.7mgFiber: 0.5gmSugar: 4.5gm

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

spicy salmon sushi bites.

                    🍣 Crispy Rice Sushi Bites Recipe – Viral Sushi Appetizer You’ll Crave! 📌 Why You’ll Love These Crispy Sushi Bites These crispy rice sushi bites are the perfect blend of textures: golden fried sushi rice topped with creamy, spicy tuna or fresh avocado. Whether you’re hosting a party or craving sushi night at home, this viral appetizer is fun, fancy, and surprisingly easy! 📝 Ingredients (Makes 12–15 bites) For the crispy rice: 2 cups cooked sushi rice (short-grain, cooled) 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tsp sugar Pinch of salt Neutral oil (for frying) For the spicy tuna topping: 150g sashimi-grade tuna, finely chopped 2 tbsp mayo 1 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste) 1 tsp soy sauce ½ tsp sesame oil Optional toppings: Thin avocado slices Jalapeño rounds Black sesame seeds Chopped green onions Soy sauce for dipping 🍳 Instructions Step 1: Prepare the Sushi Rice Mix the cooled rice with rice vinega...
Post a Comment
Read more

albondigas recipe

  🧆 Spanish Meatballs Recipe (Albóndigas) | Savory Tapas Classic Craving juicy, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce? These Spanish Albóndigas are a classic tapas dish, packed with bold spices, fresh herbs, and rustic charm. Served with crusty bread or rice, they make the perfect party bite, appetizer, or cozy family dinner. 📝 Ingredients For the Meatballs: 500g ground beef (or half beef, half pork) 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1 egg 2 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil for frying For the Tomato Sauce: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp sugar (to balance acidity) Salt and pepper to taste Optional: 1/4 cup dry white wine or water 🍳 Instructions Step 1: Make the Meatballs In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

kfc fried chicken recipe.

🍗 Copycat KFC Fried Chicken Recipe – Crispy, Juicy & Flavor-Packed! Ever wished you could make KFC-style fried chicken at home ? This copycat KFC fried chicken recipe brings you all the crispy, golden perfection and 11-herb-and-spice flavor you crave—without ever leaving your kitchen. Juicy on the inside, crunchy on the outside, this homemade KFC chicken is perfect for Sunday dinners, gatherings, or when fast food cravings strike but you want to keep it homemade. ⭐ Why You’ll Love This KFC Copycat Recipe 🍗 Crispy, crunchy coating just like KFC 🌿 Uses a blend of 11 secret herbs and spices 🔥 Perfectly juicy and flavorful chicken every time 🧂 No MSG, no mystery ingredients—just real food 🏡 Tastes like takeout, made with love at  🧾 Ingredients For the Chicken: 1 kg (2.2 lbs) chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, wings) 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice) 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper For the Flour Coating (KFC Spice Blend): 2...
Post a Comment
Read more