Cozy Porcupine Meatballs Recipe: A Family Favorite Delight

My grandma’s treasured porcupine meatballs recipe brings nostalgia and comfort to every dinner table.

Tender ground beef mixed with rice creates delightful texture and flavor.

Childhood memories flood back with each bite of these classic comfort dishes.

Simple ingredients combine to make something magical and hearty.

Mom always said these meatballs were her secret weapon for pleasing picky eaters.

Comfort never tasted so good, with each rice-studded morsel promising warmth and satisfaction.

Dig in and savor a timeless meal that connects generations.

Cozy Notes in Porcupine Meatballs

• Boost Family Connections: Gather everyone around the table for a comforting meal that sparks conversation and creates lasting memories with these delightful meatballs.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Minimal prep work and straightforward ingredients make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks looking for a stress-free dinner solution.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of tender meatballs and tasty sauce ensures even picky eaters will clean their plates, making mealtime a breeze.
• One-Dish Wonder: Bake everything in a single dish, reducing cleanup time and allowing you to spend more quality time with your loved ones instead of washing multiple pots and pans.

Porcupine Meatballs: Ingredient Guide

• Ground Beef: Classic protein that gives rich flavor to the meatballs.

• Rice: Adds texture and helps bind the meatballs together.

• Egg: Helps hold the meatballs together.
• Water: Provides moisture to the mixture.

• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall taste.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savory depth.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami and complexity.
• Onion: Provides aromatic background.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Creates a rich, tangy coating for the meatballs.

Porcupine Meatballs Cooking Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting it ready for some meatball magic.

Step 2: Mix the Meatball Magic

• Ground beef
• Uncooked rice
• Water
• Chopped onion
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Egg
• Worcestershire sauce

Dive in with your hands and blend everything until it’s perfectly combined.

Step 3: Shape Those Meaty Spheres

Roll the mixture into adorable golf ball-sized morsels, placing them snugly in a baking dish.

Step 4: Create the Saucy Blanket

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes

Pour this luscious sauce all over the waiting meatballs.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 45 minutes.

Step 6: Final Sizzle

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes. The meatballs are done when they’re fully cooked and the rice has become tender.

Serve hot and watch family faces light up with joy!

Tips for Perfect Porcupine Meatballs

• Rice Selection Matters: Choose long-grain white rice for the best texture and even cooking inside the meatballs.
• Perfect Mixing Technique: Use your hands to blend ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even distribution of seasonings and rice throughout the meat.
• Moisture Control: Don't overmix the meat mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough and dense.
• Sauce Consistency: Make sure the tomato sauce covers the meatballs completely to keep them juicy and prevent drying out during baking.
• Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe, perfectly cooked meatballs.

Porcupine Meatballs: Easy Storage Instructions

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual meatballs or the entire dish in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months to maintain best quality and taste.
• Place meatballs in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra tomato sauce to keep them moist. Cover and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly. Add a bit of sauce to prevent drying out.

Porcupine Meatball Companions

• Pair Perfectly with Zesty Red Wines: Select bold, fruit-forward red wines like Zinfandel or Merlot that complement the rich, meaty flavors of the porcupine meatballs.
• Serve Alongside Crisp Green Salad: Create a light, refreshing contrast with a mixed green salad featuring tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty warmth of the meatballs.
• Match with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Elevate the dish by serving smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that soak up the delicious tomato sauce and provide a comforting side.
• Complement with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables: Add roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus to bring color, nutrition, and a slight caramelized sweetness to the meal.

Saucy Spins on Porcupine Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular rice with quinoa or gluten-free rice, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Variation: Swap ground beef with plant-based ground meat or lentils, using egg substitute or flax egg for binding.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or chopped zucchini, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining texture.
• Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the meat mixture for those who enjoy extra heat and bold flavors.

FAQs

• What makes rice stay inside the meatballs?

The uncooked rice absorbs moisture during cooking and expands, creating a textured exterior that resembles porcupine quills while staying perfectly embedded inside the meat mixture.

• Are Porcupine Meatballs healthy?

They offer a balanced meal with protein from beef, carbohydrates from rice, and nutrients from tomato sauce, making them a nutritious option for families seeking a wholesome dinner.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or lean ground beef work great, allowing you to customize the recipe based on your dietary preferences or what’s available in your kitchen.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, Porcupine Meatballs are perfect for children because they’re easy to eat, have a mild flavor, and the rice inside adds an interesting texture that kids typically enjoy.

Porcupine Meatballs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful porcupine meatballs bring nostalgia from mid-century kitchens with tender beef and rice nestled in savory tomato sauce. Home cooks can savor these comforting classics that promise warmth and satisfaction in every hearty bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Rice:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (85% lean)
• 1/2 cup (96 grams) uncooked long grain white rice
• 1 large egg

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1/3 cup (50 grams) chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Tomato Base:

• 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 can (28 ounces or 794 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine ground beef, uncooked rice, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, beaten egg, and Worcestershire sauce in a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Thoroughly blend all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of seasonings and rice throughout the meat mixture.
3. Gently form uniform spherical portions, approximately the size of golf balls, using delicate hand movements to maintain a compact structure.
4. Arrange the crafted meatballs in a single layer within a ceramic or glass baking dish, allowing slight spacing between each piece.
5. Create a robust sauce by whisking together canned tomato sauce and diced tomatoes until well integrated.
6. Cascade the prepared tomato mixture evenly over the arranged meatballs, ensuring complete surface coverage.
7. Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to retain moisture during initial cooking phase.
8. Position the covered dish in a preheated oven set at 350°F and allow to roast for approximately 45 minutes.
9. Carefully remove the foil covering and return the dish to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, monitoring until meatballs develop a rich golden exterior and rice kernels become tender.
10. Verify internal temperature reaches safe cooking standards before serving this classic comfort dish.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by mixing ground beef with ground turkey or pork for varied flavor profiles and reduced fat content.
• Swap white rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice to create gluten-free and lower-carb alternatives that maintain the dish’s texture.
• Enhance the sauce’s depth by adding a splash of red wine or a teaspoon of smoked paprika for extra complexity and richness.
• Prepare meatballs in advance and freeze uncooked for convenient meal prep, allowing them to marinate in sauce for deeper flavor development.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg