Easy Porcupine Meatballs Recipe

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Porcupine Meatballs, ground beef-rice balls baked in the oven with a tomato sauce, is a simple meatball recipe for the whole family. They’re tender, juicy, and filling. They can be served as an appetizer with rice or pasta.

Meatballs in a baking dish with a spoon.

Porcupine Meatballs

If you’re looking for a comforting meal that’s easy to make and sure to please the whole family, look no further than porcupine meatballs. These savory little beef meatball bites are packed with flavor and are perfect for a cozy night in.

To make these delicious baked meatballs, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients: ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, and spices. The rice gives the meatballs a unique texture, and the spices add a nice kick of flavor.

A bowl of spaghetti and porcupine meatballs.

The sauce is tangy and sweet, with a hint of richness from the Worcestershire sauce.

When the meatballs are done cooking, serve them hot with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes or veggies, and enjoy!

Ingredients 

The full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions is at the bottom of this post. You can save a tree and the recipe to your personal and private recipe box here on Call Me PMc. This way, you’ll never misplace it.

  • ground beef
  • cooked rice
  • onion, minced
  • sea salt
  • ground black pepper
  • minced garlic
  • paprika
  • parsley, more to garnish

Sauce

Meatballs in a pan with sauce and parsley.

Porcupine Meatballs Cooking Tips

  • Ensure the rice is thoroughly cooked before adding it to the meat mixture. This will ensure that it’s soft and tender in the finished meatballs.
  • If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cooked rice from the store. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Feel free to customize the spices in the meat mixture to suit your taste. Add a dash of cayenne pepper for heat, or throw in some Italian seasoning for an extra flavor boost.

How to store leftovers

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

How to freeze

Allow to cool down and freeze in an airtight container for 1 month.

How to reheat

Reheat in the microwave until heated through.

A bowl of spaghetti.

Porcupine Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
A: Yes, you can definitely use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a leaner option. Just remember that turkey has a slightly different flavor and texture, so your meatballs may be somewhat different.

Q: Can I freeze porcupine meatballs?
A: Yes, porcupine meatballs freeze well! Just let them cool completely, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in a pot on the stove or the microwave until heated.

A close up of food.

Porcupine Meatballs Conclusion


Porcupine meatballs are a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can whip up a batch of these tasty meatballs in no time. Give them a try and see for yourself how delicious they are!

A few more recipes, you’ll enjoy are: PASTA MEATBALL SOUP RECIPE, Best BBQ Meatballs Recipe, Sheet Pan Fajita Meatballs, MONGOLIAN MEATBALLS RAMEN RECIPE, and Nashville Hot Chicken Meatball Sandwich.

A bowl of spaghetti.
Meatballs in a baking dish with a spoon.

Easy Porcupine Meatballs Recipe

Ground beef-rice balls baked in the oven with a tomato sauce. A simple meatball recipe for the whole family. Can be served as an appetizer, with rice or pasta.
Author: Paula
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (453 g) ground beef
  • ¾ cup (5.99 oz | 170 g) cooked rice
  • 1 small white onion minced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon parsley more to garnish

Sauce

  • 1 -14 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 374 F | 190 C. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, add ground beef, rice, onion, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika and parsley. Gently combine all together. Use a spoon to scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture. Roll into a ball. Place all meatballs in the baking dish.
  • In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar together until sugar is dissolved. Pour on and around the meatballs. Cover and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and bake for another 10 minutes.
  • Remove garnish with parsley.
  • Serve immediately with pasta or garlic bread.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 426mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3mg
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