Not Yo Momma's Porcupines

Break from tradition with "Not Yo Momma's Porcupines," a comfort food classic reimagined with bold flavors and a modern twist. These saucy porcupine meatballs, made with tender ground beef, uncooked white rice, and a blend of rich seasonings like smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce, are simmered to perfection in a hearty tomato and beef broth sauce. Unlike the old-fashioned recipe, this version brings a deeper depth of flavor while staying true to its roots—easy to make and incredibly satisfying. Ideal for cozy family dinners or meal prep, these meatballs pair beautifully with mashed potatoes, noodles, or even a slice of crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of the savory sauce. Perfectly tender, irresistibly flavorful, and ready in under an hour, this is a recipe you'll bookmark for countless comforting evenings.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 cup Uncooked white rice
• 1 large Egg
• 1 Small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 14-ounce can Canned tomato sauce
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked white rice, egg, finely diced onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a spoon until well combined.

Step 2

Divide the mixture into 12 evenly sized portions and roll each into a meatball about the size of a golf ball.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches and sear until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove meatballs and set aside on a plate.

Step 4

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Add the canned tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 5

Carefully place the browned meatballs back into the skillet, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each meatball.

Step 6

Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Remove from heat and let the skillet rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 8

Serve the porcupine meatballs with a side of mashed potatoes, noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1362.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1794.8

Total Fat 104.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 520.6mg	0%
Sodium 5048.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 122.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.8g	0%
Total Sugars 21.4g
Protein 97.5g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 227.1mg	0%
Iron 13.7mg	0%
Potassium 2994.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.6%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 27.0%