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Porcupine Meatballs

If you’re looking for an easy, old-fashioned dinner that doesn’t require a long list of ingredients, these Porcupine Meatballs are worth trying. They’re made with lean ground beef, uncooked white rice, onion, and a few simple seasonings, then baked in a flavorful tomato sauce.

The rice cooks right along with the meatballs, which is what gives them their fun “porcupine” appearance. As the rice cooks, it sticks out from the meatballs like little quills.

This is also a great budget-friendly recipe when you need to stretch a pound of ground beef into a meal that will feed the family.

What Are Porcupine Meatballs?

Porcupine meatballs are meatballs made with uncooked rice mixed directly into the ground beef. As the rice cooks and expands, it pokes through the outside of the meatballs, giving them their porcupine-like appearance.

They are usually cooked in a tomato-based sauce, which gives the rice plenty of moisture while the meatballs bake.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 lb lean ground beef
½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
½ cup water
¼ cup chopped onion
1 tsp salt
½ tsp celery salt
⅛ tsp garlic powder
⅛ tsp ground black pepper

For the Sauce

1 15 oz can tomato sauce or condensed tomato soup
1 cup water or broth
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

How to Make Porcupine Meatballs

1. Prepare the Rice

Add the uncooked white rice and ½ cup water to a bowl. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

This gives the rice a little time to absorb some of the water before it goes into the meatball mixture.

2. Make the Meatballs

Add the ground beef, chopped onion, salt, celery salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the rice mixture.

Mix everything together until well combined. Try not to overmix the ground beef, as this can make the meatballs tougher.

Form the mixture into meatballs and place them in a casserole dish.

3. Make the Sauce

In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce or condensed tomato soup with the water or broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs.

4. Bake

Cover the casserole dish with a lid if it has one or aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.

Remove the cover and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the rice is tender.

Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Making Porcupine Meatballs

Don’t cook the rice first. The uncooked rice goes directly into the meatball mixture. It cooks as the meatballs bake and absorbs moisture from the water and sauce.

Use white rice. This recipe was designed around regular uncooked white rice. Brown rice or other varieties can require different amounts of liquid and cooking time.

Don’t make the meatballs too large. Keeping them relatively uniform in size helps them cook evenly and allows the rice to cook properly.

Keep the casserole covered for the first part of baking. The covered baking time helps keep enough moisture in the dish for the rice to cook.

Check the rice before serving. If the meatballs are cooked but the rice still needs a little more time, cover the dish again and continue baking until the rice is tender.

Tomato Sauce or Tomato Soup?

You can use either tomato sauce or condensed tomato soup in this recipe. Tomato sauce gives the meatballs a more traditional tomato flavor, while condensed tomato soup makes a slightly richer and creamier sauce.

If using condensed tomato soup, don’t prepare the soup according to the directions on the can. Use it as listed in the recipe and combine it with the additional water or broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Ground Beef?

You can substitute ground turkey for the ground beef, although the flavor and texture will be a little different. Since ground turkey can be leaner than ground beef, be careful not to overmix the meatball mixture.

Can I Make Porcupine Meatballs Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time, cover the casserole dish, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.

If the dish is going directly from the refrigerator into the oven, it may require additional baking time. Make sure the meatballs reach a safe internal temperature and that the rice is completely tender before serving.

Can I Freeze Porcupine Meatballs?

Yes, porcupine meatballs can be frozen. Allow the cooked meatballs and sauce to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight freezer-safe container.

For the best texture, use them within a few months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Porcupine Meatballs

Porcupine meatballs are already a filling meal because you have meat and rice in the same dish, but they pair well with simple side dishes.

Try serving them with:

Green beans
Steamed broccoli
A simple green salad
Corn
Peas
Dinner rolls
Garlic bread

The extra tomato sauce is also delicious spooned over the meatballs and rice.

How to Store Leftover Porcupine Meatballs

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm them gently in a saucepan until heated through.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These old-fashioned porcupine meatballs are inexpensive, easy to make, and use ingredients you may already have in your pantry and refrigerator. The uncooked rice helps stretch a pound of ground beef into a hearty family meal, while the tomato sauce keeps everything moist while it bakes.

If you’re looking for a simple comfort-food dinner that doesn’t require much preparation, this is a recipe worth keeping around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they called porcupine meatballs?

They’re called porcupine meatballs because the uncooked rice sticks out of the meatballs as it cooks, making them look a little like porcupines.

Do I have to cook the rice before adding it to the meat?

No. The rice is added uncooked. It cooks inside the meatballs while they bake and absorbs the liquid from the recipe.

Why did my rice not cook completely?

The rice needs enough moisture and cooking time to become tender. Make sure you use the amount of liquid called for in the recipe and keep the casserole covered during the first 45 minutes of baking.

Can I use broth instead of water?

Yes. You can use broth in place of the water in the sauce, and it adds a little more flavor.

Can I use tomato soup instead of tomato sauce?

Yes. Condensed tomato soup is one of the options in the original recipe and gives the sauce a slightly richer flavor.

How do I know when the meatballs are done?

The meatballs should be cooked through in the center, and the rice should be tender. If you use a meat thermometer, ground beef should reach 160°F in the center.

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