Pearly Porcupine Meatballs

Transform your dinner table with these irresistibly hearty Pearly Porcupine Meatballs—a nostalgic classic with a flavorful twist! These tender meatballs get their unique “porcupine” appearance from uncooked long-grain rice that cooks to perfection right inside the meat, creating delicate spikes that peek through the surface. Infused with savory garlic, onion, and parsley, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce lightly sweetened with a hint of sugar, these meatballs are irresistibly juicy and satisfying. Perfect for a comforting family meal, they pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, or crusty bread for soaking up every drop of sauce. Easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients, this recipe is sure to become a weeknight favorite. Keywords: Porcupine Meatballs Recipe, Easy Homemade Meatballs, Hearty Tomato Sauce Recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 100 grams uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 large egg
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 400 grams (1 can) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 300 milliliters water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon sugar
• 1 whole bay leaf

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried parsley. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended.

Step 2

Using your hands, shape the mixture into 16 equally-sized meatballs and set aside.

Step 3

In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the meatballs to the skillet, searing them on all sides until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Carefully place the meatballs back into the skillet, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the sauce.

Step 7

Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the meatballs for 30-35 minutes, or until the rice in the meatballs is tender and cooked through.

Step 8

Occasionally, gently stir the sauce to prevent sticking, taking care not to break the meatballs.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed before serving.

Step 10

Serve the Pearly Porcupine Meatballs warm, garnished with fresh parsley, alongside mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread for a hearty meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(161173.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	35145.5

Total Fat 444.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 573.5mg	0%
Sodium 16171.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 7441.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2005.6g	0%
Total Sugars 4680.3g
Protein 1435.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 26855.6mg	0%
Iron 1012.3mg	0%
Potassium 335351.8mg	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: 10.1%

Protein: 14.5%

Carbs: 75.3%