Porcupine Balls

Bring retro comfort food to your table with these irresistible Porcupine Balls! This classic recipe combines tender, flavorful meatballs made from ground beef, uncooked rice, and aromatic seasonings, all simmered to perfection in a rich tomato-based sauce. The rice expands as the meatballs cook, creating a delightful "porcupine" effect that's as fun as it is delicious. Ready in under an hour, these meatballs are browned for a golden exterior before being gently braised in a savory blend of tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce for maximum flavor. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, serve these hearty Porcupine Balls with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 cup Uncooked white rice
• 1 small, finely diced Onion
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 15 ounces Canned tomato sauce
• 1 cup Beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, diced onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overwork the meat mixture.

Step 2

Roll the mixture into approximately 12 golf ball-sized meatballs and set aside on a plate.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, carefully place the meatballs in the skillet and brown them on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side. Use tongs to turn them gently so they don't fall apart.

Step 4

Once the meatballs are browned (but not fully cooked through), remove them from the skillet and set aside temporarily.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the canned tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir the ingredients to combine and bring the liquid to a simmer.

Step 6

Return the meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are nestled into the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the meatballs to coat them.

Step 7

Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 8

Check the meatballs for doneness (internal temperature should reach 165°F). If done, remove from heat.

Step 9

Serve the Porcupine Balls hot with a generous spoonful of sauce over the top. They pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1425.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1822.6

Total Fat 104.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 520.6mg	0%
Sodium 5131.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.4g	0%
Total Sugars 24.4g
Protein 98.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 229.3mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 3138.3mg	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: 50.8%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 27.9%